CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Despite holding the Lions to their lowest amount of total kills in a match since September, the Royals fell to North Alabama in straight sets (23-25, 13-25, 18-25).
 

Queens found their first lead in the first set as Tilley Collins snagged a service ace to grab the 11-10 lead. The Lions battled back with three-point run led by a kill from Katy Floyd, but a North Alabama error and a kill from Alleigh Johnson put the Royals right back at a 13-13 score.

The set was a back-and-forth affair before Queens opened up the floodgates, stampeding by a score of 22-17 with Jordyn Johnson at the kill helm. The team kills leader smashed four home in the stretch, but the Royals would falter in the final two points as Nicole Sargent hit back-to-back kills to take the 25-23 victory.

The Royals were outscored 58-32 after leading 22-17 in the first set, as North Alabama held Queens to a -.031 hitting percentage in the second frame. In the second, the Lions scored seven of the last ten points of the set to take the 25-13 victory.

In the third, Queens and North Alabama battled through six lead changes and 11 tied scores. Both squads put up zeroes in hitting percentage, but two four-point rallies led by ASUN hitting percentage-leader Anna Katherine Griggs would give the Lions the 25-18 victory, securing the match win.

Victoria Wood and J. Johnson led Queens with nine kills apiece. Kayla McDuffie finished with three blocks while Kendall Buish secured 28 assists. Collins in the libero uniform dug up 13 balls.

For North Alabama, Griggs put up nine kills and three blocks to lead the Lions. Kennedey Johnson threw up 15 assists while Luana Bulara added 27 digs.

Up next, the Royals head to Austin Peay on Friday, Oct. 20 in a 7:00 PM first serve.

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