CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Queens resilient, young squad shined bright on the final day of the Beale Street Challenge as they worked their way back from down two sets to earn a five-set victory over Oakland.

Queens' powerful offense was held at bay the first two sets, as Oakland gave them all they could handle. The Golden Grizzlies gained early leads in both sets and although Queens would rattle off a few consecutive points, they ultimately fell short and fell in an 0-2 hole heading into the third set. 

In the third set, Queens would fight back and found itself down 11-9 early but decided enough was enough. A pair of kills by the team's offensive leader, sophomore Alleigh Johnson, along with a pair of kills and an ace by sophomore Kayla McDuffie helped spark a seven-of-nine point streak that gave Queens a 16-12 lead. Later in the set, freshman Hallie Brown and sophomore Jordyn Johnson went back and forth in kills in four consecutive points to increase Queens' lead and propel them to take the set, 25-18.

In the fourth set, the momentum continued to sway in the Royals' direction. McDuffie continued to shine early on in just her second match this season, as she had three kills in the first half of the set, helping put Queens ahead, 15-8. The Royals kept their foot on the gas offensively and defensively, growing their lead while keeping Oakland's offense from getting going, as they took the fourth set, 25-15, and forced a deciding set. 

The final set was nothing short of exciting. The Golden Grizzlies put Queens in a hole early, taking a 12-7 lead which later grew to 14-10, putting Queens on the brink of a tough loss. With their backs quite literally on the wall, they fought back hard. After a service error cut the lead to three, sopohomore Jordyn Johnson served up an ace, followed by a big block by McDuffie and junior Victoria Wood. Each team traded points to move the score to 15-15. Each team traded points until Oakland push ahead to take an 18-17. Two consecutive errors gave Queens match point, before Jordyn Johnson put the finishing touch on the match with a kill to earn the victory. 

Coach's Words

"It was great to see a hard fought battle finish in a victory. I'm extremely proud of our team's resiliency. This will definitely make the flight home to Charlotte more fun."

By the Numbers

• The "Johnson and Johnson" duo of Alleigh Johnson and Jordyn Johnson led the team with 14 kills a piece. Jordyn posted an impressive double-double, also grabbing a team-high 27 digs. 
• Junior Victoria Wood notched 5+ kills for the fifth time this season.
• Sophomore libero Jesse George compiled season-high 24 digs. 
• Kayla McDuffie had an impressive showing, putting away six balls with no errors, good for a .429 clip.
• Sophomore Kaylin Dowling added two aces, leading the team with 15 on the season.

Queens will head south to Statesboro, GA, to compete in the GATA Challenge at Georgia Southern University.