CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Queens University of Charlotte men's volleyball team picked up their first win of the 2024 season tonight, downing the Bobcats of Lees-McRae in a 3-1 decision (25-10, 25-22, 26-24, 25-18).
SET BY SET
The Royals were dominant in the first set, scoring the first three points of the match and never looking back. A complete Queens team effort would hold their opponent to only two kills and a -.304 hitting percentage, resulting in a 15-point win.
The Royals jumped to a convincing 11-5 lead in the second set with the strength of Chance Shampine and Matthew Pilch on the offense. Lees-McRae cut their deficit to as little as two points, 24-22, but a final service error would plague the Bobcats to finalize the 25-22 Queens triumph.
Lees-McRae found their spark in the third frame. The opponent found their first lead of the match at the 16-15 mark after a 4-0 run caused by Queens errors. Both sides of the net would score back and forth, but a late offensive surge from the Bobcats claimed a 26-24 win.
In the fourth, the Bobcats jumped to a 13-8 lead with the help of multiple solid swings from Erel Bardah and Austin Beaird. A strong four-point comeback led by a Shaphar Grant kill would put the Royals within one before another Beaird kill kept the Bobcats in control.
Daniel Leitao would push the Royals back ahead with a kill to spark a 10-3 run, giving the Royals a 21-17 late lead. Queens' advantage would hold to the final, as a kill from Pilch solidified the 25-18 victory.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Pilch led the Royal offense on the night with 13 kills. Shampine whipped up 10 kills, two aces, three blocks, and four digs in his first start as a Royal. Reed Shuey finished the night with eight blocks, a career-high for the sophomore.
REMARKS FROM COACH PRICE
"We made a few lineup changes, but it was important to get guys some experience tonight," Head Coach Price said. "It's not ideal to play an extra set in a week where we are playing three matches, but I give a lot of credit to Lees-McRae … they did a really good job of making us work in the third set."
On Shampine's night, Price added:
"It's exciting to get your first start and be able to reach double-digit kills. He has an incredibly high ceiling and I am excited to see where he can get to."
UP NEXT
The Royals face the Trojans of Mount Olive tomorrow, Jan. 18 inside the Levine Center for a slated 6:00 PM first serve.
SOCIAL MEDIA
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