MARS HILL, N.C. – The Queens University of Charlotte women's volleyball team picked up a pivotal conference victory on Friday night at Mars Hill. The Royals upended the Lions 3-1 and improved their overall record to 13-9 and 8-5 in South Atlantic Conference play while Mars Hill fell to 17-9 overall and 6-7 in league play.
 
The two squads faced off for the second time this season after the Royals bested the Lions 3-0 just two weeks ago at Curry Arena. The familiar programs opened the evening going point for point as neither team led by more than three points in the set. The Royals managed to hit .217 in the opener with 19 kills while the Lions recorded 18 kills on a .167 clip. Jordyn Johnson (Jamestown, N.C.), Alleigh Johnson (Winterville, N.C.), and Lindsay Elmore (Salisbury, N.C.) each tallied four kills in the first set as Queens took the set 26-24.
 
The Royals opened up the second set in convincing fashion by using a 6-2 run and jolting ahead 12-8. However, the two would battle like the first set and neither team took a commanding lead. All tied 20-20, Mars Hill managed to rally five consecutive points and grab the second set. In the second, the Lions defense stepped up as the Royals only produced 11 kills and a .174 hitting percentage. Mars Hill would record 21 kills and a .278 hitting percentage in the frame. 
 
The third set was a mirror image of the second set as both teams went back-and-forth through most of the set. Instead of the Lions closing on a run, Queens managed to overcome a 22-20 deficit by rallying six straight points to steal the set 25-22. The Royals accrued 19 kills in the set, including seven from senior Lindsay Elmore. Seven different Royals recorded a kill in the set.
 
The final frame saw the Royals fall behind early 11-5. A 7-3 push halfway through the fourth set allowed Queens to get back into the frame as they were looking to close it out. The Lions would mount a small run and grow their lead to 18-13, but the Royals found their rhythm and closed on a 12-2 run and took the match. Queens hit .226 with 16 kills in the fourth set while the Lions hit .167 and 15 kills.
 
For the match, Queens hit .219 with 65 kills and eight service aces. The Royals were led offensively by Lindsay Elmore recording 18 kills on a .385 hitting percentage. Jordyn Johnson notched a double-double with 10 kills and 25 digs while fellow rookie Alleigh Johnson finished with 13 kills. Senior Brooke Farley (Fort Mill, S.C.) set up the attack with 59 assists. On defense, Kaylin Dowling (Woodleaf, N.C.) and Jesse George (Virginia Beach, Va.) finished with 22 and 20 digs, respectively. Five Royals earned a solo block on the evening. Mars Hill was led by Sarah Goddard who notched 26 kills and a .244 hitting percentage.
 
The Royals currently sit at sixth in the South Atlantic Conference with six games remaining on the season.
 
Queens will have a quick turnaround as the Royals will face Lenoir-Rhyne on the road tomorrow afternoon at 2:00 p.m. The two conference foes faced off Oct. 16 and the Bears ousted the Royals 3-1 at Curry Arena. Make sure you follow the Royals on Instagram and Twitter to stay up to date on all game updates and news.