BRISTOL, TENN. – The Queens University of Charlotte men's volleyball team (9-10, 3-1 IVA) dropped their third straight match on Saturday afternoon at King University (10-10; 5-3 CC) despite an incredible effort on the road. The afternoon was highlighted by a record-breaking performance from junior setter Brandon Grabow. The Mount Vernon, Ohio native notched a program record 70 assists on the day, shattering previous record holder Alexander Schinzing's 58 assists on March 1, 2019. The sensational performance is also the most assists in collegiate men's volleyball this season.
 
The Royals would open the afternoon with a convincing start grabbing a 9-5 lead. Queens was coming off a tough loss last night to North Greenville, so the Royals were looking to capitalize on the new day. Leading 10-8, Queens sparked a 4-0 run to increase their lead to 14-8 as they managed to keep their lead for the rest of the set. Every Tornado counter was answered by a Royals rally and the visitors took the first set 25-19. The Royals would hit .222 with 12 kills in the first set while holding King to a .192 mark with 11 kills.
 
The remaining four sets were intense battles seeing 34 ties and 18 lead changes. In the second, the Tornado would grab a quick 5-2 lead. After exchanging points, the Royals would put together a 5-0 run and take an 11-8 advantage. The Royals saw their lead grow to as much as give before King stormed back with a 5-0 surge to even the score again. Queens managed to open the lead back to three, but the home team would close the set on an 8-3 run to win 25-23 evening the score 1-1.
 
In the third, the Royals offense would slow down a bit only hitting .226 with 14 kills while King hit a game-low .189 with 14 kills. The entire set was plagued by errors as both squads combined for 14 attacking errors and 11 service errors. Trailing 6-3, King would go on a 5-0 rally to gain an 8-6 lead. Queens would return the favor shortly after with a 5-1 surge to regain the lead 13-11. The remainder of the set saw the Tornado go on another 5-1 run while the Royals answered with a 4-0 run. Both squads would exchange points battling for the pivotal third set until the Royals grabbed three straight points to win the set 29-27.
 
Looking to send the match to a fifth set, the Tornado quickly jumped ahead 5-1. The early start would be enough despite the Royals battling with brief rallies throughout the set as King took the fourth 28-26. The set saw the Royals hit .300 with 23 kills which is the most in a set this season. The Tornado would counter with a .308 mark and 14 kills. The difference in the set proved to be the errors again as Queens committed eight attacking errors and five service miscues.
 
For the fifth time this season, the Royals would go into a fifth set. In the most intense set of the afternoon, both squads went back-and-forth as there were 12 ties and five lead changes in the deciding set. The Royals would hit .364 with 14 kills, but the home team managed to hit .467 with eight kills. In the final two sets, Queens posted 37 kills on a .332 hitting percentage, but the errors mounted as the Royals fell in the fifth set 19-17.
 
Jack Brinkman earned a double-double on the day with 27 kills on a .268 mark with 12 digs. The 27 kills is a career-high for the junior as he was one short of tying the program record set by Nic Cavallaro on March 1, 2019. Daniel Leitao would record his seventh double-double on the season with 17 kills and 10 digs. Ananias Hayes would round out the double-double performances for the Royals with 11 kills and 12 digs. Senior JP Payne also worked into the attack with nine kills on 15 attempts.
 
Queens will return to Curry Arena next weekend for their final two home matches of the season. The Royals will square off with Lincoln Memorial on Friday at 7:00 p.m. before hosting Tusculum on Saturday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. 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.