BOSTON - Emmanuel men's volleyball made its home debut for the 2026 schedule on Wednesday night, falling in straight sets (25-16, 25-22, 25-19) to the No. 17 MIT Engineers on Yosinoff Court in non-conference play. The win keeps MIT unbeaten at 4-0 to start the season, while the Saints drop to 1-4 on the year.

The Engineers showed why they were worthy of a top-20 ranking in the opening set, opening the match with a 16-6 scoring run to lead in the first. Emmanuel could only get as close as six, as MIT rattled off four straight points to win the set, capped off by a kill by Michael Rini, in a 25-15 set win.

After falling into an early deficit in the second set, the Saints battled in the middle frame to a 16-16 tie, midway through the set. The turning point was a 5-0 surge by the visitors, as the Engineers managed to hold off a late Saints run, earning a 25-22 set win in the process.

MIT saved the best for last, finishing with a match-high 14 kills on a .357 attack percentage, in the straight sets sweep. The home side hung in with the No. 17-ranked Engineers, but one final scoring run of four straight points by MIT boosted them ahead 16-10 and a lead they wouldn't surrender. The Saints could only get within three, as the Engineers closed out the match with a 25-19 win.

Alexander Garrett finished with a team-high nine kills for the Engineers, hitting 318 from the floor. Nate Toth added eight kills and eight digs in the victory.

Saints senior Trey Guest finished with a match-best 13 kills and eight digs, hitting .310 on the night. First-year Tye Barrett finished with 19 assists and six digs.

The Saints are back in action on Friday, Jan. 23, as they host the Endicott Gulls on Yosinoff Court at 6:00 p.m.