CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Queens University of Charlotte women's volleyball team celebrated Senior Night in winning fashion, claiming a 3-0 (25-23, 25-13, 26-24) win over Newberry College inside Curry Arena.
The team honored its lone senior,
Taylor Henry, in a pre-match ceremony. Henry, who has missed this season due to injury, has compiled an impressive career for the Royals in the middle after starting 80 of the 85 matches she has played. She was an integral part in lead Queens to its first ever South Atlantic Conference Tournament title in 2017 and was an All-Conference and All-State honoree last season.
The Kingsport, Tennessee native finishes her Queens career with 523 kills, 293 blocks and 71 service aces across three seasons. Her .288 hitting percentage ranks fourth in program history, while her 293 total blocks are tied for sixth all-time in the Queens' record books. As a junior, Henry set the program mark for highest single match hitting percentage after hitting .652 against Montevallo in early-September.
With tonight's victory, Queens (13-14, 9-10) clinched a spot in next week's South Atlantic Conference Championships with seeding still to be determined. Newberry (8-18, 3-16) was eliminated from postseason contention following the loss.
Newberry jumped out to an early lead in the first set which featured nine tie scores and four lead changes. Queens and Newberry kept the game close down to the very end as the Royals used a 4-2 run to eventually end the set and lay claim to a 1-0 lead.
The second set was dominated by Queens from start to finish as the team opened the frame on a 14-2 run. The Royals remained in control as a kill from sophomore
Chanel Turner put the home team ahead 2-0 in the match.
In the third, the Wolves responded with another early lead before Queens battled back to tie the set at 8-8 and eventually take the lead on a kill and service from Turner. The final set featured 12 total ties and three lead changes, but the Royals held on for the two-point win, ending the match with another Turner kill.
Sophomore middle
Logan Witt led all players with 11 kills and hit .409 in the match, while Turner finished with nine kills and 10 digs.
Fellow sophomore
Casey Tarvin registered eight kills, 14 digs and two service aces, as junior
Mallory Swarts directed the offense with 35 assists to go along with nine digs and two service aces of her own. On defense, sophomore
JayCee Jones led the team with 20 digs, while freshman Lindsey Elmore had three total blocks, including two of the solo variety.
The regular season comes to a close for the Royals tomorrow as the team hosts Anderson University in Charlotte for with first serve scheduled for 2 p.m.
