Box Score JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – In the final date of a four game road trip the Queens University of Charlotte volleyball team pulled into Jefferson City, Tennessee to face off against the Eagles of Carson-Newman today. Down two sets to none the Royals rallied and took the match by the score of 3-2.
 
In set one the Royals and Eagles went back-and-forth for the first points with Queens capitalizing on multiple Carson-Newman violations and taking a 12-10 lead. But the Eagles were able to rally back, and after a four point run forced head coach Lettie Wilkes to take a timeout with the score 15-17.
 
Following the stoppage the Royals were able to cut the lead to just 21-22, forcing an Eagles timeout. Able to regroup out of their timeout the home team rallied quickly and were able to hold the lead and take the set 23-25.
 
In the second set the Eagles were able to capitalize on early Queens errors and forced a Queens timeout with the score at 8-11. With both teams settled in the Royals were forced to scrap for every point but ultimately dropped the set 22-25.
 
In another back-and-forth set the Queens exchanged points throughout the third with the Eagles, and were able to take the lead at 14-12. The Royals continued to hold off the Eagles and build on their lead, and eventually took the set 25-20.
 
Starting the fourth set was a string of bizarre occurrences with two Carson-Newman players receiving red cards. With added motivation the home team went on a multiple point run and took the score at 10-8. But, the Royals were able to battle back into the match and soon the score was even again at 12.
 
Showing a renewed strength the Royals did not let adversity affect their play and continued to battle. Only needing one point the Royals turned to red-hot freshman Meredith Jones to pound the ball home and take the match 25-23, and force the fifth set.
 
In the fifth set the Royals continued to rely on momentum and filled the gym with their cheers following every point. After switching sides with an 8-5 lead the Eagles ran off three quick points to tie the set at eight, and soon took the lead with an ace by Kristen Pickett.
 
Adding two quick points the Eagles expanded their lead to 8-11 and forced a Royals timeout. Following an ace by Taylor Riley the score was evened at 12-12 and the Eagles were forced to call a timeout to try and cool off the Royals offense. Tied again the Eagles tried to blast through the Royals defense and were stonewalled to give Queens the 14-13 lead and force another Carson-Newman timeout.
 
With it game point it was senior Keri Kemp who put the game away to give the Royals an emotional 15-13 win and take the match.
 
The Royals offense combined for a hitting percentage of .308, and was led by Kemp, Jones, and Elizabeth Bialkowski with 16 kills apiece. Riley added 56 assists from her setter position.
 
Defensively Jocelyn Kellinger had 16 digs and Kemp, Riley, Erin Mooney chipped in with double digit digs.
 
The Royals are now 3-7 overall and 3-5 in conference play. Queens returns home Tuesday to host Catawba College.