Box Score ANDERSON, S.C. – The Queens University of Charlotte women's volleyball team concluded their 2021 season following a tough 3-1 loss to the Anderson Trojans in the South Atlantic Conference Quarterfinals on Tuesday night. In their seventh consecutive conference tournament appearance, the young Royals team was looking to avenge an earlier loss to Anderson, but came up short and finished the season 16-13 overall and 10-9 in South Atlantic Conference play. Anderson improved to 21-6 overall and 16-3 against league opponents and will head to Rock Hill, South Carolina for the semifinals this weekend.
 
The evening started in favor of the visitors as the Royals jumped out to a 6-1 lead. Anderson would quickly find their rhythm as the third seed would go on a 17-4 rally and cruise through the opening set 25-13. Queens would generate more attacking opportunities in the opener, but only managed to record six kills and a .047 attack percentage. Anderson would tally 16 kills on a .270 hitting percentage while adding six block assists on defense.
 
Similar to the first set, Queens grabbed an early advantage jolting ahead to a 10-5 lead. Despite seeing less opportunities than Anderson in the second, Queens executed the chances that they got posting 13 kills and a game-best .314 hitting percentage. The Trojans would earn 16 kills in the set, but the attack errors mounted quickly for the home team as they hit .220 with seven errors. The Royals defense found their groove in the set shining for six block assists and a solo block in route to a 25-19 victory.
 
The third set opened with Anderson grabbing a quick 9-4 lead behind a timely attack and solid defensive play. The Trojans wasted no time extending the lead as it was quickly 17-8. The young Royals squad remained poised and collected themselves well and sparked a 7-1 run and closed the deficit to three. Anderson's veteran unit regrouped and secured the set with a 5-1 rally and took a 2-1 lead. The Trojans managed to earn four service aces in the third as well as a game-high .378 hitting percentage with 15 kills. The Royals would hit .237 with 13 kills, including five kills from Grace Giunta (Palm City, Fla.).
 
In the final set of the evening, the Trojans carried over their momentum from the third set by jumping ahead early 10-5. The early deficit proved to be enough despite the Royals late push to keep their season alive as the Trojans took the set 25-22. In the fourth, Queens hit .216 with 12 kills and Anderson hit .302 with 19 kills. Anderson's defense was relentless all evening recording 12 block assists and limiting the Royals offensive production.
 
Grace Giunta led all Royals on the night with 15 kills and a .234 attack percentage. Alleigh Johnson (Winterville, N.C.) added ten kills and senior Lindsay Elmore (Salisbury, N.C.) notched seven kills. The Royals defense was led by Kayla McDuffie (Winterville, N.C.) recording five total blocks, including two solo. Senior Brooke Farley (Fort Mill, S.C.) would finish with a double-double featuring 34 assists and 14 digs. The Trojans were led offensively by Rylie Sargent tallying a game-high 20 kills on a .366 hitting percentage.
 
The quarterfinal loss ends the Royals 2021 season as they finish 16-13 overall. Be sure to follow the Royals on Instagram and Twitter to stay up to date throughout the off season. Fans are also encouraged to follow Queens Athletics on social media @QueensAthletics to stay updated on all of the Royals sports.