CHARLOTTE, N.C. –The Queens University of Charlotte volleyball team moved to 15-5 on the year and 12-3 in South Atlantic Conference play this evening after defeating Tusculum College 3-0 (25-23, 25-17, 25-20). The Pioneers fall to 6-10 in the league and 11-13 on the season with the loss.
 
Meredith Jones led the Royals with 12 kills, while Jessica Raines added 10. Jones also totaled 11 digs to lead the Royals, while Megan Mancini and Sydney Kunz each totaled 10 digs. Kunz also recorded 30 assists on the night in the win.
 
Queens led the Pioneers 17-11 in the opening set before Tusculum suck back into the game. The Pioneers strung together a number of short runs to pull within one of the Royals, 22-21, on a service ace from Sarah Bouley. They then tied things up at 22-22 after winning the next point. However, a kill form Taylor Henry would swing the momentum back to the Royals' side as the home team went back ahead by one. The Pioneers then took the next two points and the lead, forcing a timeout by the Royals. Out of the short break, Queens quickly ended the set grabbing two straight points for the win.
 
The second set was a tight affair between the two teams until the Royals pulled away late. With the game tied at 16-16, Queens found a five point run to grab a 21-16 lead. The Pioneers broke up the run with a kill, but a four point push would end the set with Queens on top, 25-17.
 
The third set saw much of the same action as the Pioneers stayed within two-three points of the Royals. Queens held a 22-20 lead when they capitalized on a pair of errors by Tusculum. A kill from Henry would close things out and give the home team the three set victory.
 
Queens totaled 40 kills on the night in comparison to Tusculum's 34. The Royals also edged the Pioneers in assists, 35-32, but lost the block battle, 9-8. Queens totaled 50 digs to Tusculum's 57.
 
Queens will be right back in action tomorrow afternoon in Curry Arena against Mars Hill University. The Royals took the first match with the Lions in three sets back in September.