GREENEVILLE, TENN. - The Queens University of Charlotte men's volleyball team dominated the Tusculum University Pioneers in a 3-0 sweep on Saturday afternoon inside Pioneer Arena. With this win, the Royals move to 6-4 overall and get back in the winning column while the Pioneers fall to 1-7. Tusculum has yet to beat Queens in their four meetings since 2020.
 
The Royals came out strong in the first set as Daniel Leitao earned back-to-back kills. The Pioneers capitalized on an attack and service error from Queens, but their luck didn't last long as Jack Brinkman recorded another kill to bring the score to 4-4. The two teams would exchange points until the score was 7-7. The Royals would proceed to go on an 9-3 run and break the set open 16-10. The Pioneers would try to string a comeback, but Queens had an answer every time.
 
Tusculum came out strong in the second set capitalizing off two Queens attack errors followed by two Pioneer kills. Tusculum pulled away 9-4 with two service aces from Shaphar Grant but things turned around for Queens as they responded on multiple occasions to the Pioneers offense. Trailing 16-13, Queens closed the set on a 12-3 surge storming from behind to win the set 25-19. In the set, Queens hit .227 as a team with 11 kills while the Pioneers finished even with six kills.
 
Queens opened the third set looking to get ahead early and complete their second straight set sweep of the season. The Royals showed promise early jumping out to a 7-2 lead which was capped off by a Daniel Leitao service ace. The Pioneers would inch within a point, but the Royals stifled off a potential comeback and countered every point to keep the lead for the duration of the set. Queens hit .194 in the final set with 14 kills and Tusculum hit .155 with 11 kills.
 
The Royals were led offensively by Daniel Leitao who posted a game-high 13 kills while adding three blocks assists, three digs, and a pair of service aces. Brandon Grabow would facilitate the Royals attack with 29 assists. Fletcher Murphy had a career day tallying a best eight kills while adding four blocks.
 
Queens will close out their six game road trip next weekend with a pair of matches away from Curry Arena. The Royals will battle Saint Francis University in Loretto, Pa. on Friday, Feb. 18 at 7:00 p.m. Queens will then take on George Mason on Saturday at 5:00 p.m. in Fairfax, Va. Be sure to follow the Royals men's volleyball program on Instagram to stay up to date on all the latest news and updates surrounding the team. Fans are also encouraged to follow Queens Athletics on social media @QueensAthletics to follow all of the Royals sports in action.