GREENVILLE, Pa. – The Thiel Tomcats lost a close 3-set match Saturday morning at Beeghly Gymnasium to the 10^th-ranked Eastern Mennonite Royals.
 
Thiel dropped the first set of Continental Volleyball Conference (CVC) match 25-23 and the second match 25-22. The Tomcats also battled in the third game but fell, 30-28.
 
Cody Patterson (Canonsburg, Pa./Canon-McMillan) led the Tomcats with 14 kills and seven digs while Regan Hess (Burlington, Wis./Wetosha Central) and Mitchell Patterson (Canonsburg, Pa./Canon-McMillan) tallied eight and six kills, respectively. Hess also recorded five blocks while Zach Rombach (Severn, Md./Archbishop Spalding) dished out 27 assists.
 
Also for the Tomcats, Nate Roche (Cochranton, Pa./Cochranton) tallied 10 digs and five blocks while Thad Paunovich (Avonmore, Pa./Kiski Area) contributed nine digs.
 
The Royals, ranked 10^th in the most recent American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) poll, were led by Scott Brigham, who recorded 13 kills and 10 digs. Also, Tim Callahan came up with 13 kills while Christian Taylor handed out 41 assists.
 
The Tomcats will return to action Tuesday when they take on the 14^th-ranked Juniata Eagles on the road. The CVC match is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.