MARS HILL, N.C. – The Queens University of Charlotte volleyball team was on the road today as it took on the Lions of Mars Hill College. In a crucial match between two teams with the conference record of 2-2 the Royals found themselves in a back-and-forth match that they eventually dropped 1-3.
 
In the first set the Royals came out with guns blazing and took a quick 10-4 lead with senior Keri Kemp leading the way with three early kills. After forcing the Lions to take an early timeout the Royals built on the lead eventually expanding it to 17-9 following back-to-back blocks.
 
The Royals held the lead the rest of the set and subsequently took the opener by the score of 25-18. Defensively they were able to stifle the Lions to a .182 hitting percentage while Queens turned in a percentage of .294.
 
In set two the Royals found themselves in an early hole, but were able to battle back and take the lead at 10-7 following an uninterrupted six point run. But Mars Hill showed their grit and battled back into the match, forcing a tie at 12 apiece. After exchanging points the Lions soon went on an unstoppable 11 point run, and took the second set by the score of 14-25.
 
In the third set the Royals again were in an early hole, but dug themselves out to the score at 9-9. With both teams exchanging blows over the next few points it was the Royals that eventual gained the lead of 14-11 following a three point run.
 
From there the Royals continued to battle to hold the lead against the scrappy Lions. Eventually Queens began to build on the lead, but Mars Hill rallied back before tying the score, and eventually taking the match 23-25.
 
In the fourth set Queens found itself in another early hole as they were quickly down 2-12 following a ten point Lions run. The Royals continued to try and fight back into the match but faced an overwhelming Mount Olive offense and eventually dropped the set 15-25.
 
Offensively Queens was led by Kemp with 18 kills while Elizabeth Bialkowski added 10. Taylor Riley pitched in with 31 assists from her setter position. Defensively Jocelyn Kellinger had 14 digs with Riley and Alexa Sparrell chipped in with 12 and 11 respectively.
 
The Royals are currently 2-5 overall and 2-3 in the SAC. They travel to Tusculum this Friday.