GAFFNEY, S.C. – The Queens University of Charlotte women's volleyball team fell in a Friday night match at Limestone 3-0 in the Timken Center. The loss dropped the Royals to 14-11 overall and 9-7 in South Atlantic Conference play while Limestone improved to 9-11 overall and 6-9 in league action. With three matches left in the regular season, the Royals sit at sixth in the conference as the playoff push continues.
 
The night began slowly for Queens as the Royals fell behind in the first set. Trailing 9-8, Queens found their rhythm and rallied six consecutive points which was capped off by a Kayla McDuffie (Winterville, N.C.) and Alleigh Johnson (Winterville, N.C.) tandem block to grab a 14-9 lead. Limestone would remain aggressive and respond with eight straight points, including four consecutive service aces. The conference foes would go point-for-point before the Saints secured the set 25-22. Queens managed to hit .200 in the set compared to Limestone's .146 mark. The Royals also committed two attack errors and the Saints had eight total. The difference in the set proved to be the five service aces from the Saints.
 
The second set saw the Saints jump ahead early 7-3. The errors mounted and the Royals struggled to defend the Saints aggressive attack. In the frame, Queens hit .139 and committed six attacking errors while the Royals posted 17 kills and a .484 hitting percentage. Limestone halted the Queens offensive game plan with five blocks in the second alone.
 
In the final set of the evening, both squads managed to put together a few lengthy rallies. Neither team would see their lead grow to more than two until Abbey Criser (West Yarmouth, Mass.) notched her sixth kill to make the score 21-18 in favor of the Royals. The Saints would respond again with four straight points and close the set on a 7-2 run and grab the victory.
 
The Royals were led by freshman Jordyn Johnson (Jamestown, N.C.) recording a double-double with 10 kills and 13 digs. Abbey Criser finished the evening with seven kills and a team-high .278 hitting percentage. Alleigh Johnson would add seven kills also. Jesse George (Virginia Beach, Va.) had another great defensive performance notching 16 digs and Kayla McDuffie contributed two block assists and solo block. The Saints were led by Madysen Williams who had a double-double with 12 kills and 13 digs.
 
The Royals will head further south overnight and prepare to face Georgia College tomorrow evening in a non-conference battle at 5:00 p.m. Following the match, Queens will return home to face Wingate on Thursday, Nov. 11 at 7:00 p.m. for Fan Appreciation Night. The Royals will conclude the regular season next Saturday when they celebrate senior day with a match against Coker beginning at 2:00 p.m. Be sure to follow the Royals on Instagram and Twitter to stay up to date on all game updates and news.