POST-MATCH INTERVIEW WITH HEAD COACH JEREMY PRICE

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Queens University of Charlotte men's volleyball team opened the 2021 season in thrilling fashion on Friday night, taking down Saint Francis University 3-2 (22-25, 25-16, 19-25, 25-21, 15-5) inside Curry Arena.
 
Saint Francis (0-2) is the second EIVA member that the Royals (1-0) have defeated in as many years after earning a four-set win over the University of Charleston (W. Va.) last season. Queens' victory came in large part because of a .222 team hitting performance and 11 service aces.
 
Senior Nic Cavallaro led the charge with a match-high 15 kills and a .278 hitting mark on the outside to go along with eight digs and four service aces. Fellow senior Tristan Santoyo followed with 11 kills, nine digs and two service aces of his own.
 
The opening set was tightly contested throughout before the Red Flash ended the frame on a 3-0 run to take an early match lead. Queens responded with a strong second set, hitting .294 and holding SFU to a .100 hitting performance to even the match score.
 
Queens and Saint Francis traded wins in the third and fourth sets of action, leading to a decisive fifth set of play. The final set was in Queens' favor from start to finish as the Royals hit .545 in the frame in comparison to a -.308 performance by the Red Flash offense.
 
Sophomore setter Brandon Grabow guided the Royals' offense with 38 assists and freshman middle Fletcher Murphy made a statement in his collegiate debut, hitting .750 with six kills. Defensively, senior middle JP Payne registered seven total blocks, while sophomore libero Guillermo Jordan led the way with 10 digs.
 
The Royals and Red Flash matchup up on the court once again tomorrow afternoon in Charlotte. First serve is set for 3 p.m. on the Queens Sports Network.