LANGHORNE, Pa. – The Gallaudet University men's volleyball team earned its first five-set win of the season here Thursday night as the Bison defeated Cairn University, 3-2, in a United East conference match inside the Mason Activity Center.

Gallaudet (4-12, 1-1 United East) won by scores of 18-25, 25-21, 23-25, 25-21, 15-8 over Cairn (5-16, 2-2 United East).

The Bison entered the match 0-4 in five-set contests this season but broke through in their fifth opportunity. Three of the last four matches for Gallaudet have gone the distance including the second straight five-set conference match this week.

"I am really proud of how we played today. We are seeing some much better results this year than last year with our ability to fight through the adversity of dropping sets to bring it to a fifth set," said Gallaudet interim head coach Ben Campman. "We haven't had the results we've wanted so far, but to finally get one in conference play is really big for us both in the standings, and for how it gives us the confidence to continue to play at a higher level each week. I am so thankful to have such a great group of guys on this team."

Cairn took the opening set before the Bison responded with a 25-21 second-set victory. The Highlanders regained the lead with a narrow 25-23 win in the third set before Gallaudet answered again with another 25-21 fourth-set victory to force a decisive fifth set. Gallaudet posted hitting percentages of .348 in the second set and .370 in the fourth.

The Bison dominated the final set as they recorded nine kills on 12 swings with no errors for a blistering .750 hitting percentage to close out the match.

Sophomore outside hitter Zachary Bippus (Fishers, Ind.) set a new career-high with 25 kills on 48 swings with only nine errors for a .333 hitting percentage. Bippus added five digs, three service aces and one block in the win.

Sophomore setter Troy Holcomb (Fremont, Calif.) distributed 43 assists and served up three aces while sophomore middle hitter Tyler Wascher (Noblesville, Ind.) anchored the defense with six blocks (one solo) and added eight kills.

Sophomore outside hitter Kodi Lee (Lehi, Utah) chipped in eight kills, seven digs, four blocks and two aces.

The Bison finished with 52 kills and posted a season-best .314 team hitting percentage while tying a season high with 11 service aces.

Cairn was led by Sam Poirier's match-high 27 kills and eight digs while Josh Adler recorded 48 assists and nine digs.

BISON TRACKS

• Gallaudet finished with 52 kills, the third-most in a match this season
• The Bison posted a season-best .314 team hitting percentage
• Gallaudet's 11 service aces tied a season-high
• The Bison recorded 10 team blocks, the second-most in a match this season
• Cairn finished with 56 kills, the most by a Gallaudet opponent this season
• The Highlanders' .356 hitting percentage is the second-highest by an opponent in 2026
• Cairn's 53 assists are the second-most recorded by a Bison opponent this season 

UP NEXT
Gallaudet will host a tri-match this Saturday, March 7, in the Field House. The Bison will begin the day with a United East Conference match against Pratt Institute (5-8) at 11 a.m. followed by a neutral site match between Pratt and Penn State Behrend (14-5) at 1 p.m. Gallaudet will wrap up the day with a non-conference match against Penn St.-Behrend at 3 p.m. on Padden Court.