CHARLOTTE, N.C. - It was a great day for head coach Hannah Long and her squad as they walked away with not one, but two victories on day two of the UNC Asheville Invitational. The first victory, a straight-set sweep over Stonehill, marked the program's (and the school's) first victory as a Division I program/institution. The Royals were not going to settle for just one, as they took care of business for a second time with a four-set victory over UNC Asheville. The Royals will return home with a 2-1 record, and a lot of momentum to begin the season.


Queens vs. Stonehill

Queens let its presence be known right from the first serve. The first two points of the first set were won at the net via block assists, both of which freshman Hallie Brown played a hand in. Queens' offense matched its strong defensive play early on, as the Royals quickly grabbed a 9-2 lead. Stonehill would fight back, but Queens finished off the set winning five of the last six points. The second set was a true test of grit among the young squad, trailing 24-22, but refusing to go down without a fight. A kill by Brown and an ace by Jordyn Johnson would knot the game at 24, before an Alleigh Johnson kill gave Queens set point. Stonehill would take the next point, but kills by Brown and Alleigh Johnson once again would seal the second set, 27-25. The third set began as a very back-and-forth battle until Queens put its foot on the pedal, rattling off nine of 10 points, capped off by an Anna Law ace to give the Royals a 14-5 lead. The team would go on to take the set, 25-20 and earn its first victory as a Division I program.

Coach's Words

"Our team executed well through some stretches which helped us build leads in the first and third set. I was especially proud of our ability to settle in the end of the second set to earn the 2-0. It was great to get our first win of the season on the second day of competition. I'm looking forward to us continuing to build and grow within the game". 

Statistically Speaking

• Sophomore Alleigh Johnson led the offensive attack with 11 kills. She continues to prove her versatility, hitting from multiple positions around the court. 
• Four players notched double-digit digs, led by sophomore Jordyn Johnson who tallied 13. She also put away seven kills to just one error, leading the team with a .300 hitting percentage as well.
• Victoria Wood helped contribute to the victory with eight kills of her own, adding a solo block.
• Mackenzie Shank and Kendall Buish formed an effective setter duo, combining for 27 assists, good for an exact 9.0 assists per set.

Queens vs. UNC Asheville

With one win already in its back pocket, the Royals were hungry for more. Queens got off to a fast start, quickly taking a 7-4 lead. The Bulldogs came off the leash and fought back hard, putting the Royals in a 13-8 deficit. The hosts would hold the lead for a large portion of the set until back-to-back kills by Hallie Brown would tie the game at 22. After trading the next two points, senior Abbey Criser decided enough was enough. A powerful kill by her gave the team a 24-23 lead, and one point later, Criser single handedly ended the set with a solo block. Queens opened the second set gaining a small lead and were able to hold off any comeback efforts from UNC Asheville, taking the second set, 25-21. After UNC Asheville bested Queens in the third set, coach Hannah Long's team decided enough was enough. Four consecutive kills gave the Royals a strong 8-2 lead, and they were not done. Later in the set, back-to-back-to-back kills gave the Royals an 18-9 lead, a lead which ultimately propelled Queens to a 25-16 set victory and earned the team's second victory of the day.

Coach's Words

"I thought we started the match extremely well and were able to maintain an aggressive mindset throughout. More importantly we adjusted as Asheville varied their attack against us. This was a great win for our team with a lot of strong performances".

Statistically Speaking

• Freshman Hallie Brown continues to let her presence be known in her young college career. Her 13 kills on 18 attempts totaled an impressive .611 hitting percentage. In three games this season, Brown has 19 kills and has swung at an impressive .385 clip. 
• Alleigh Johnson led the way again for the Royals with 15 kills, leaving her with 26 on the second day of the invitational.
• Senior Abbey Criser defined efficiency, smashing 9 kills with just one error for an impressive .421 hitting percentage. 
• Sophomore Kaylin Dowling added two aces to give her a team-leading five on the day.
• Freshman setter Jaianna Bouarouy saw her first action of the season and performed nicely, dishing out 20 assists.

Up Next For the Royals

Queens will be back on the road next weekend, heading to Macon, GA to compete in the Mercer Bears Classic. The first match will take place on Friday, September 2 against Charleston Southern.