NASHVILLE, TENN. — The Royals weren't able to escape the Lipscomb Bisons in Saturday night ASUN action, falling in three sets (21-25, 16-25, 23-25). The Royals battled tough against the 9-1 ASUN standouts, holding their squad to under .200 in hitting percentage.
Queens (1-9) came out hot in the first set, piecing together a 6-2 lead with the help of Kayla McDuffie and Jordyn Johnson on the kill. The Royals held on to their lead until midway through the set when a Courtney Jones kill and a service ace gave Lipscomb (9-1) a 14-13 lead.
The Royals would fight their way back, but a five-point run led by Lipscomb's Meg Mersman would essentially seal the deal and give the Bisons a first-set victory.
In the second, Lipscomb would snag the first seven points of the match. A block from Anna Law and J. Johnson, a service ace from Tilley Collins, and another block from Victoria Wood and McDuffie would give Queens three points back. Despite offensive spurts from the Royals, the Bisons would hold the lead for the remainder of the set, winning 25-16.
In the third, Queens put up a solid offensive performance with 14 kills and only four errors. The duo of Wood and McDuffie held up their end of the bargain and aided in Queens taking an 10-9 lead. Mersman would hold Lipscomb through to snag an 18-15 lead, but Ellis Sargent would lead a three-point run to tie the set back at 18 all. The squads would enter a back-and-forth affair before the Bisons found a three-point run right at the finale to take the 25-23 set win.
Wood and McDuffie led Queens with eight kills apiece. Sargent followed right behind with six kills on the night.
Wood, Law, and McDuffie all threw in a trio of blocks each to the stats, while Kendall Buish added in 27 assists. Collins put in 16 digs as the starting libero.
Mersman led Lispcomb with 15 kills and four blocks while ASUN assists leader Sophie Hudepohl put up 38 assists.
Up next, the Royals head back home to face the Ospreys of North Florida on Friday, Oct. 27 in a 6:00 PM first serve.
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