CHARLOTTE, N.C.- The Royals volleyball team won sets one and two, but gave up sets three, four and five to the visiting Mount Olive Trojans at Queens University of Charlotte's Ovens Athletics Center on Saturday afternoon. Queens drops to 3-5 in Conference Carolinas play and 3-12 overall while the Trojans improves to 2-1 in league competition and 6-9.

The Royals dominated in set one and two coming out strong on all fronts. Queens never fell behind in the first set and won 25-20. Strong serving by Tamalea Pierce (Asheboro, N.C., SW Randolph )in set two put Queens out 19-15 over the Trojans. From there the Royals were able to serve for two points and earn three on Mount Olive mistakes.

The momentum swung the other way in set three with the Trojans picking up the set 25-16. The game was close until the second rotation when Mallory Peavler served for six points before Queens could side out. The Royals could not cut the deficit and Mount Olive got the win.

Mount Olive set the same pace in set four as they quickly built at six point lead on the hosts. Queens was able to cut the deficit and come within two, 19-21, by the end of the second time through the rotation. After exchanging rally points, Queens held serve and took the lead for the first time in the set, 24-23, but turned the ball back to the Trojans with a hitting error. Big kills by both teams tied the set at 25. Two consecutive kills by the Trojans gave Mount Olive the 25-27 win. 

In the tie-breaker the teams were tied at seven all when Mount Olive took the lead 10-7. Queens rallied back and things were tied up at 12 with Mount Olive gaining the serve. The Trojans put the next two points away for the 15-12 win.

Veronica Arenander (Cincinnati, Ohio, Walnut Hill )recorded the team-high kills, 14, while Pierce had the team-high in digs, 22. Amanda Valbert (Champaign, Ill., Champaign Central )hit four aces in the game.

Queens faces Belmont Abbey College on Sept. 30 at 7pm, the first contest of a seven-game road swing. 

Box Score