CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Queens volleyball was back in action for the second-coonsecutive day in Kentucky, taking on Bellarmine. Led by Alleigh Johnson, the Royals' offense battled but fell short, 3-0 (25-23, 25-23, 25-18).

Johnson and Anna Law helped Queens get off to a hot start in the first set with a pair of kills each, as they took a 9-6 lead. Bellarmine fought back to tie the set, but another pair of kills by Johnson and a block assist by Abbey Criser and Law pushed Queens ahead, 14-12. Johson continued to dominate on offense as she totaled six kills in the set, the last of which push the lead to 23-19. The Knights managed a strong late-set push, earning the next six points and narrowly taking the set, 25-23. 

The second set followed suit of the first, as a kill by Criser but the Royals ahead early, 8-5. The lead would slightly grow, as a kill by Jordyn Johnson from the outside extended the lead to four, 12-8. Bellarmine would take back the lead but would not last very long. A service error helped spark a five-point run for Queens, which included another kill by Johson and blocks on back-to-back plays with McDuffie involved in each, along with Johnson and Criser. Bellarmine were able to muster together another late run which helped them take the second set, 25-23 once again.

The third set was back-and-forth between the two teams as it was tied 5-5 early on. The Knights began to pull away but a three-point run, which included an ace by Jesse George, cutting the deficit to one. A six-point run by Bellarmine helped propel them to take the set and ultimately the match.

By The Numbers

• Alleigh Johnson tied her second-highest kill total on the season with 16, doing so while managing an efficient .333 hitting percentage. She surpasses 200 kills on the season with her performance.
• A large part of Queens' gritty play was thanks to Jesse George who managed 17 digs.
• Abbey Criser and Kayla McDuffie each managed four total blocks. 
• Freshman setter Jaianna Bouarouy dished out 20 assists on the day.