CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Queens University of Charlotte volleyball team topped Lenoir-Rhyne on Friday, October 14, 2016, with a three set victory. The Royals went 25-17, 25-21, 25-22 for the win as the team moved to 12-4 overall and 9-2 in the South Atlantic Conference. Lenoir-Rhyne dropped to 6-13 overall and 4-8 in conference.
During the match,
Megan Mancini broke the school record for career digs. She finished the night 15 digs to lead the team and contribute to her total of 1,408 for the statistical category. The previous record was held by Jocelyn Kellinger who tabbed 1,403 digs in from 2010-2013.
Offensively,
Meredith Jones led the team in kills finding 20 in the match as
Sydney Kunz tabbed 42 assists in addition to five of the team's nine service aces.
Taylor Henry led the team in blocks attributing five to the night.
The Bears looked to Emily Steele who grabbed nine kills to equal Brandi Thomas for the stat. Steele had the team's only ace of the night in addition to leading the squad in blocks with three. Ashley Markland found 15 digs while Kathryn Sizemore tallied 15 assists to round out the match.
A narrow start, Queens held a slight lead over the Bears eventually forcing a timeout call at 13-9. The two teams battled but Queens eventually found its gap off a four point run to make it a 24-16 game.
Jessica Raines would claim the set with a hard hit from the right side to move the squad ahead in the match.
The Royals held control throughout the entirety of the second set. The team force the Bears to use a timeout call after a service ace from Henry moved the game to 14-5 score. Lenoir-Rhyne jumped out of the timeout to claim an 8-1 run to come within three of the Royals, 16-13. However, the gap was just enough for Queens to take a 2-0 lead into the break.
Although Queens led 16-8 in the third set, Lenoir-Rhyne refused to quit battling back with a six point run. As the two teams swapped points, Queens soon found themselves trailing 20-18 with a timeout called to refocus the group. The Royals regained the lead on a four point run that closed out the match.
The Royals will be back at home tomorrow as they face Brevard College. The match is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m.
