CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Queens' lengthy home stand continued Friday evening with a matchup against Lincoln Memorial. Three Royals found themselves with double-digit kills including Daniel Leitao who managed a double-double, however the Railsplitters would end up on the winning side, 3-1 (25-18, 23-25, 25-20, 25-20).

MATCH SUMMARY
The first set saw both teams shoot out the gate with a lot of energy. LMU built an early 10-6 lead over the Royals, but a kill by Ananias Hayes sparked a run that helped Queens take four of the next five points and cut the deficit to one. Out of the media timeout the Railsplitters had a four-of-five point run of their own to gain a five-point lead which they'd hold onto and take the first set, 25-18.
 
Queens got hot early in the second set as a service ace by Brian Schwob gave them an early 5-2 lead. Later in the set, the Railsplitters grabbed a 13-12 lead but the Royals responded well thanks to a kill and an ace in back-to-back points by Brinkman, followed by a strong double-block by Riley Mulkey and Daniel Leitao which put Queens ahead 15-13 heading into the break. An ace by Daniel Leitao put Queens up 19-16 and forced Lincoln Memorial to call their first timeout of the set. Shortly after, a kill and an ace by Hayes pushed the lead to 21-17 and forced LMU to call their final timeout. The Railsplitters rattled off three points late to cut the deficit to one, but a kill by Leitao sealed a second-set victory.
 
Much like the first two sets, both teams had strong starts to begin the third. Queens reached 10 points first thanks to a double block by Stirling Sims and Hayes. From there, LMU stepped it up, taking a 12-8 lead that would later grow to 18-10. A strong response by the Royals helped cut the deficit to four, but the Railsplitters managed to hold on and take the third set, 25-20.
 
Queens took a 3-2 lead early in the fourth, proceeded by either team splitting the next eight points. Knotted at 11, the Royals' strong offense propelled them to a 15-12 lead at the media timeout. LMU responded well and would find themselves ahead 20-18 before Queens called its first timeout of the set. The Royals would continue to fight their way back into the set, but LMU would hold on to take the final set, 25-20. 

BY THE NUMBERS

• Daniel Leitao managed his second double-double of the season, putting away 17 kills while picking up 11 digs.
• Ananias Hayes returned to the court in a big way, managing 10 kills and an impressive .500 hitting percentage, adding six digs, two blocks, and two aces. 
• Jack Brinkman concluded the match with 10 kills for his 11th time in double-figures. He added team-high three service aces in the process. 
• Brian Schwob dished out 40 assists on the evening, adding seven digs and two blocks as well.

NEXT UP
Queens returns to Curry Arena on Saturday, March 25 as they will celebrate senior day and take on Tusculum at 2PM. 

SOCIAL MEDIA
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