Box Score CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Queens University of Charlotte volleyball team hosted Belmont Abbey today in a matchup to determine who would hold the top spot in Conference Carolinas following this weekend. In the second meeting of the year between these two powerhouses, the Royals once again were able to earn a hard earned victory in five sets.
 
In the first set the Royals found themselves in a battle early on, and were forced to play from behind throughout the set. Unable to overcome the deficit the Royals dropped the set 25-13 to the Crusaders.
 
Rallying from a first set loss the Royals' offense came alive, and was led by Keri Kemp (Lake Mary, Fla., Lake Mary) with four kills. She also was paced Queens with two blocks, and was joined in her defensive effort by Jocelyn Kellinger (Roanoke, Va., Cave Spring) with six digs. Both teams kept pace with each other throughout the set, but the Royals were able to even the match at 1-1 with a 25-23 win.
 
Coming out the intermission the Royals once again found themselves facing an opponent that would not back down. Leading the Royals in the tight set wasLindsey Everhart (Cincinnati, Ohio, McNicholas) with four kills, and McKenzie Martin (Houston, Texas, Stratford) with 11 assists. Despite these efforts the Royals dropped the set 25-21.
 
With their backs against the wall in the fourth set the Royals jumped on the Crusaders from the beginning. With Martin leading the offense with 14 assists, and Kemp pounding the ball from the outside the Royals took the all-important set 25-13 to force a fifth and final set.
 
In the fifth set both teams exchanged points throughout, but the Royals kept the lead through the defense of Everhart with three blocks, Kellinger with five digs, and Taylor Riley (Lynchburg, Va., E.C. Glass) adding four more digs. Offensively Anna Gibbs (Hickory, N.C., Hickory) and Kemp led the Royals in the set with three kills, and Martin adding six assists. With the crowd on its feet the Royals were able to close out the match with a 15-13 win, and sole possession of first place in Conference Carolinas.
 
In the stat book Kemp led with 13 kills, and Martin directed the offense throughout the afternoon with 40 assists. Defensively the Royals weathered the Crusaders attacks with Kellinger picking up 21 digs, and she was joined in double digits by Riley with 17 and Martin with 11.
 
The Royals currently stand at 14-8 overall, and 8-1 in conference play. Queens returns to the court Wednesday when they host Converse College at 6:30 p.m.