BLUEFIELD, Va. – The Bluefield College men's volleyball team returned to the court Friday evening at the Dome and dropped a three-set match to the Warner University (Fla.) Royals 25-14, 25-18, 25-15.

In the opening set the visitors from the Sunshine State raced to an 11-5 lead at which time BC called time. The Royals were dominant, but Bluefield mad a short run at the end of the game.

In set two the Rams were much tougher and the teams were separated by only one or two points early in the game. Warner went ahead 11-8 and later opened a five point lead before Bluefield cut it to three at 15-12. Warner ended the set with a 10-6 run to go ahead two games to none.

In the third and eventual final set of the match Warner jumped ahead and never looked back, building a 23-10 lead before Bluefield, with Matt Epperson serving, scored five straight points before the Royals scored the final two of the match.

Patrick Hilton had 10 digs and Connor Holland had five for Bluefield. Chase Craycroft had nine assists.

The Rams are now 0-7 and play Milligan in an exhibition match, Wednesday in Tennessee. The next home match is set for Feb. 27 at 2 p.m. against St. Andrews.