CHARLOTTE, N.C. – With the game point on the line, Brittney Barren (Ham Lake, Minn., Blaine) served an ace ending tonight's three set match against North Greenville University. Queens University of Charlotte opens up conference play at 1-0 (5-4 overall) with the win, while the Crusaders (6-6) fall to 0-2 in the league.

The Royals defeated the Crusaders 25-15, 25-16, and 25-18.

Queens jumped out to an early lead in the first and second sets building large leads on impressive play at the net. After allowing 10 kills by the Crusaders in the first set, the Royals stepped up the defense only allowing four in the second. Queens' blockers made it hard for North Greenville to find points as they committed eight attack errors.

The final set was closer than the Royals would have liked it to be due to attack errors building up early. Once again the Royals turned to defense disallowing the visitors to put the ball down. The Crusaders completed the set with a -.049 hitting percentage after only getting six kills on 41 attempts.

The Royals had their best outing on the attack in set one as they finished it with a .400 hitting percentage. Anna Gibbs (Hickory, N.C., Hickory) was as accurate as they come collecting six kills on eight attempts with no errors for a .750 hitting percentage. Barren, Lindsey Everhart (Cincinnati, Ohio, McNicholls), Keri Kemp (Lake Mary, Fla., Lake Mary), and Alexa Sparrell (Winter Park, Fla., Winter Park) also contributed to the balanced attack with five kills apiece. Avery Moore (Arlington, Texas, Lamar) led all with 18 assists. Jocelyn Kellinger (Roanoke, Va., Cave Spring) finished with 16 digs.

Kaitlyn Pierce led the Crusaders on the attack with nine kills. Abigail Frame dished out 16 assists.

Queens returns to The Oven tomorrow afternoon to take on Limestone College at 2 p.m.