The Misericordia University men's volleyball team dropped a 3-0 decision to SUNY-Potsdam in the opening match at the SUNY-Poly Invitational, Friday.

The Cougars fell 26-24, 25-16, 25-23.

Down 23-19 in the first set, Anthony DePalma and Austin Cervasio and Cervasio and Matt Albrecht combined on a block as part of a 4-0 run to tie the score.

After Potsdam went ahead, 24-23, another DePalma kill kept MU alive, but the Bears scored two straight to win.

Potsdam used a 6-2 spurt midway through the second set to break open a close match.

DePalma's kill gave MU a 20-17 lead in the finale, but Potsdam scored four straight points to go in front, 21-20.

DePalma had two straight kills to give MU a 22-21 lead, but Potsdam closed on a 4-1 run.

DePalma led the Cougars with 17 kills while Kyle Ganoe had 20 assists and Jackson Fehnel had 10 digs.

The Cougars were scheduled to play Nichols later Friday and will face SUNY-Poly and St. John Fisher, Saturday.