CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Queens volleyball (9-6 CC, 17-8) was unable to pull off the upset Saturday afternoon, as Erskine (12-4, 16-10) padded their second-place lead in the Conference Carolinas with a 3-1 (20-25, 25-14, 20-25, 18-25) win at Ovens Athletic Center. 

Road weary from Friday's trip to Columbia, the Royals struggled to find their rhythm throughout the match.

The bright spot for the Royals came in the second set, when Keri Kemp (Lake Mary, Fla., Lake Mary) added to a 19-14 lead, serving four-straight points to put the game out of reach for the Flying Fleet.

After the break, the Royals failed to carry their momentum and dropped consecutive sets.

Anna Gibbs (Hickory, N.C., Hickory) and Ashley Winters (Fredericktown, Ohio, Highland) provided steady performances for the Royals. Gibbs tallied six kills to hit .333 with three blocks (two solo, one assist) while Winters had five kills, hit .375, with an ace.

The Royals return to the court Tuesday night when they travel to rival Belmont Abbey for their second match of the season.