CHARLESTON, W.V. — Despite outblocking the Golden Eagles on the night, the Royals fell short against Charleston by a 3-0 score (23-25, 17-25, 27-25) inside H. Bernard Wehrle Sr. Athletic Arena on Friday.
REMARKS FROM COACH PRICE
"It was a very tough match against a very solid Charleston team," Head Coach Jeremy Price said. "I was pleased with how we competed at times, but we were unable to put together a full set. We certainly had our chances … I think our team is going to need to work on how to finish and win the close sets. We're looking forward to Wednesday back at Levine against Lees-McRae."
SET BY SET
The first set saw the Royals battle the Golden Eagles in a back-and-forth affair. Charleston suddenly broke free towards the end of the frame — tallying a kill from Ras Jesse Delancy, a block from Cole Duncanson & Paul Stommel, and sealing a service ace. With the hosts up 19-16, the Royals responded with a three-point rally consisting of a double block from the Shaphar Grant/Jack Brinkman duo and back-to-back aces from Brinkman to keep things tied. Even after posting a .311 hitting percentage, the Royals would fall in a tight 25-23 final score.
In the second, the Golden Eagles took a 17-10 advantage with the help of team-kill leader Garret Schnitker. Queens found a late four-point burst to cut their deficit to six, but Charleston drove their lead into a 25-17 triumph after hitting a solid .455 with 18 kills on 33 attempts and only three errors.
In the third, Queens jumped to a 11-3 lead by forcing six Charleston errors and tabbing kills from the works of Albert Warzocha and Stirling Sims. The Royals maintained a comfortable seven-point lead, 17-10, until Charleston posted a five-point rally with three consecutive kills to put the score at 17-15. Queens jumped to another solid 21-16 lead after Warzocha and Brinkman led the offense, but the Golden Eagles closed in and scored the next seven points. The Golden Eagles' fight was too strong, and a final kill from Schnitker sealed the 27-25 final victory.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Sims, Warzocha, and Matthew Pilch led the Royal offense with six kills apiece on the night. Daniel Leitao whipped up a total 24 assists, an assist shy of his season-high 25 he snagged against Princeton earlier this week. Sims added a team-leading four blocks on the night while Warzocha added seven digs.
The Royals out blocked the Golden Eagles 7-6, and tied Charleston with six aces each.
Sims was really good for us tonight, and played a really complete match," Price added. "Daniel [Leitao] was great in the setter position for us and served extremely well."
UP NEXT
Next, the Royals head back home to face Lees-McRae on Wednesday, Jan. 17 at 6 PM.
SOCIAL MEDIA
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