MONTREAT, N.C. – The Royals traveled to Montreat, N.C., to face the Cavaliers of Montreat College this evening in volleyball action. Queens University of Charlotte walked away the victor of the match after defeating the home team 3-1 (20-25, 25-18, 25-21 and 27-25)

The Cavaliers led the entire first set in route to their 25-20 win.

Queens responded in the second opening with a 5-to-0 run. The Cavaliers came back tying the game up at 6-6 due to a few errors from the Royals. Queens then pushed four points sparking a 9-to-2 spurt putting the set back in their control. The Royals would hold on to the lead for the win and 1-1 match tie.

In the go ahead set, Montreat appeared to be on their way to a win with the score sitting at 18-13 in their favor. However, the Royals had other plans pushing eight points to take the 21-18 lead. Three kills by the Royals paired with an attack error by the Cavaliers gave Queens the 25-21 win. Keri Kemp (Lake Mary, Fla., Lake Mary) tallied four kills in the run and Lindsey Everhart (Cincinnati, Ohio, McNicholls) collected two service aces.

The fourth set saw a number of lead changes beginning early when an Alexa Sparrell (Winter Park, Fla., Winter Park) kill put the Royals on top 10-9. Queens held the lead for a short time until an attack error returned it to the Cavaliers, 17-16. Seven ties would follow forcing the game to extra points before a block by the Royals followed a Kemp service ace sealed the win for Queens.

Queens' attack was led by Kemp who finished the match with 13 kills and two service aces. Anna Gibbs (Hickory, N.C., Hickory) and Brittney Barren (Ham Lake, Minn., Blaine) completed the game with nine and eight kills, respectively. Ashlyn Dibrell (Arlington, Texas, Lamar) (22) and Taylor Riley (Lynchburg, Va., E.C. Glass) (16) split time at setter recording a combined 38 assists. Rhiley completed a double-double in the match notching 11 digs on the defensive end. Erin Mooney (Bradenton, Fla., Cardinal Mooney) led in digs with 21 alongside Alana Haas' (White Lake, Mich., Walled Lake North) 12 digs.

Sydney Koon led the Cavaliers with 15 kills, while Lauren Owen chipped in 11. Natalie Nieman dished out a game-high 40 assists. Montreat had five players reach double-digits in digs as they totaled 93 in the match.

The Royals will meet their true test this coming Friday in Banner Elk, N.C., when they face the Bobcats of Lees-McRae. The Bobcats are currently undefeated in conference play and are number one overall, while the Royals are second with just one league loss. Each team has six losses on the season. The Royals will be looking to end Lees-McRae's long reign over the league as the Bobcats have won 14 of the last 15 conference title. The match is set to begin at 7 p.m.