Box Score CHARLOTTE, N.C. - After not having played in over a week, Queens men's volleyball was back in action Thursday evening with a matchup against crosstown rival, Belmont Abbey. They fired on all cylinders offensively and managed to take down the Crusaders in four sets, 3-1 (25-23, 25-17, 23-25, 25-21).

With the win, Queens improves to 5-8 while Belmont Abbey falls to 6-9.

MATCH SUMMARY

SET 1
 
The first set was as back-and-forth a set if there ever was one. Belmont Abbey took an early 5-3 lead which was proceeded by the next 16 points being traded between either team before back-to-back kills by Riley Mulkey and Jack Brinkman knotted the score at 12. Later down 17-16, Queens pushed three consecutive points to re-claim the lead, 19-17, forcing Belmont Abbey to call its first timeout of the set. Both teams fought hard to keep the score close as the set would find itself tied at 23. A kill by Nathan Vaupel gave the Royals set point before an ace by Daniel Leitao, who managed five kills in the set, would give Queens a 25-23 victory. 
 
SET 2
 
Queens used an early double block by Brinkman and Mulkey to cap off a three-point run that gave them a 7-4 lead. Up 11-8, the Crusaders committed three consecutive errors which Brinkman followed up with a kill to increase the deficit to seven, 15-8. Matthew Pilch, along with Brinkman and Leitao each added another pair of kills to propel the Royals to a 25-17 second-set victory.
 
SET 3
 
Belmont Abbey gave the Royals issues early on in the third set, as a strong early showing put them ahead 11-5 and forced an early timeout. Queens regrouped and began to claw its way back into the set as they'd rattle off four points and decrease the lead to 12-8, forcing a time out on the opposing side. They'd continue to battle with Pilch and Brinkman connecting on consecutive kills, followed by a block by Vaupel and Brian Schwob which cut the deficit to one and forced a second timeout by the Crusaders. The Royals' resiliency would be put to the test yet again as they'd find themselves down 20-17. Brinkman found open court on back-to-back points, proceeded by an error and a double block by Mulkey and Leitao to take a 21-20 lead. The Crusaders would put it together late and sneak by Queens, 25-23. 
 
SET 4
 
The Royals got after it early in the fourth set, as a kill and a pair of aces by Leitao along with a kill by Vaupel gave them an early 4-1 lead. Both teams traded points, but Queens did a nice job of keeping Belmont Abbey at bay, as they'd carry a 13-8 lead before forcing the Crusaders to call their final timeout of the set. They'd cut the deficit to 20-18, but Queens eventually earned four of the final six sets to clinch the set and ultimately the match.
 
COACH'S WORDS
"It was a really solid all around teameffort tonight against Belmont Abbey" said head coach Jeremy Price. "I thought we showed great balance on offense with three guys totaling 15+ kills. Daniel Leitao did a nice job carrying us for the first couple sets. Jack Brinkman dominated the last two and Matt Pilch was solid all night. Riley Mulkey played well in his return to Belmont Abbey as well."
 
BY THE NUMBERS

• Matthew Pilch continues to pace Queens' offense, leading the way in kills with 16. He also snagged a match-high 12 digs.
• Providing an efficient swing on the outside, Jack Brinkman connected on 15 kills to just one error, hitting .483 in the match.
• Riley Mulkey was nearly perfect from the middle, earning six kills and zero errors, good for a .600 hitting clip. He also added two blocks.
• Setter Brian Schwob distributed the ball well, concluding the match with 50 assists even. 

 
NEXT UP
The Royals return home for the first time in three weeks, playing host to Limestone on Friday, February 24 at 6PM.
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
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