CHARLOTTE, N.C. - The Royals were back in action on Saturday for their final home weekend competition of the season, as they hosted Austin Peay State. The young squad fought hard in the match but were bested by the Governors, 3-0 (25-15, 25-16, 25-18).

Victoria Wood and Anna Law managed a couple kills early as Queens found themselves down 10-4 early on. Later in the set, Queens slowly chipped away at the deficit, as more kills by Law and Wood helped the Royals earn four of the next five points, also thanks to freshman Makayla Barnes' strong serving performance to keep the ball on the home side.

The team continued to fight, however Austin Peay would retain the lead and take the first set, 25-15.

Down 7-6, the Royals responded in a nice way earning each of the next three points thanks to well-placed kills by Kayla McDuffie and Law, and an ace by Jesse George. Austin Peay gathered itself nicely, grabbing the lead back from Queens and using that momentum to claim the second set, 25-16.

Queens worked its way out of an early 5-0 hole by earning four of the next five points, spearheaded by a pair of kills by Wood. The young Royal squad continued to battle and managed a four-point run late in the set and also managed to take six of the final nine points, thanks to Wood's continued strong offensive performance.

The Governors were ultimately able to hold Queens at bay, taking the set and ultimately the match.

By The Numbers

• Victoria Wood had a team-high eight kills in the match including five in the final set. 
• Kayla McDuffie had a very efficient day on the offensive side, totaling five kills to no errors and compiling a .455 hitting percentage.
• Kendall Buish had a nice day on both sides of the ball, dishing out 17 assists while leading the team in digs with nine. 

The Royals hit the road for a pair of ASUN matchups against Central Arkansas and North Alabama next weekend.