CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Queens welcomed cross-town rival Belmont Abbey into Curry Arena for its third match of the week Friday evening in search of its fourth consecutive victory. The Royals were stellar on offense and arguably better in their defensive net play, as they would go on to earn a sweep over the Crusaders (25-20, 25-17, 25-18).
 
Belmont Abbey got out to an early 12-8 lead near the midway point of the first set, however Matthew Pilch had the hot hand early, earning kills on four of his first five attempts. Queens responded well and would eventually knot the set and later take the lead on back-to-back double blocks by Nathan Vaupel and Jack Brinkman. Pilch's fifth kill of the set put the Royals ahead, 15-13, heading into the media timeout. Queens kept up the strong blocking, as Riley Mulkey and Daniel Leitao combined for a block that gave the Royals a 20-16 lead and forced Belmont Abbey's first-called timeout of the set. Out of the break, Mulkey and Brinkman combined for yet another block to extend the lead to five. A service error by the Crusaders would eventually clinch the first set, 25-20. 
 
Pilch, Brinkman, and Leitao each connected on a pair of kills to give Queens a short lead early in the second set. An ace by Leitao followed by a double block by Pilch and Vaupel put the Royals ahead 12-8 and forced an early timeout by the Crusaders, their first of the set. Queens remained hot out of the timeout, taking six of the next eight points and forcing the second and final timeout of the set by Belmont Abbey. The Royals would hold on to take the second set, 25-17.
 
The momentum continued to swing in Queens' favor, as they exploded for 12 of the first 16 points in the third set, forcing an early timeout by Belmont Abbey. The Crusaders responded well, clawing their way back into the set to cut the deficit to four, 17-13. Queens fired back by taking five of the next eight points, ultimately propelling them to take the set and ultimately the match. 

COACH'S WORDS
"Anytime you have three matches in one week you know it's going to be a challenge, so I'm proud of the way we played today after having played two matches already", said head coach Jeremy Price. "Belmont Abbey is a good team that always plays us tough, but I think this was one of the best matches we've ever played against them. Matt Pilch was unbelievable tonight with 19 kills including nine in the third set that helped carry us at the end. Ultimately, we were locked in from the service line and blocking at the net."

BY THE NUMBERS

• Matthew Pilch led the way offensively with match-high 19 kills, hitting .429 on the evening. 
• Daniel Leitao made nice contributions on offense as well, putting away nine kills and adding a service ace. 
• Brian Schwob dished out 36 assists and tied for the team lead in digs with eight.
• Logan McDonald also added eight digs of his own. 

NEXT UP
Queens will wrap up its regular season next week with a pair of matches, the first of which against Mount Olive on Tuesday, April 4 at 6PM.

SOCIAL MEDIA
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