CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Royals finished off their weekend pushing the reigning ASUN Champions Florida Gulf Coast to a four-setter inside the Levine Center on Sunday, Nov. 3.
SET BY SET RECAP
Queens took charge right from the start of the match, as Kendall Buish set the tone, orchestrating an efficient offense that allowed the squad to build an early lead. The Royals scored the first two points, with Jordyn Johnson smashing a kill followed by an FGCU setting error. Queens continued to push, with Emma Norris and Anna Grace Sparks both recording early kills to keep FGCU on the defensive.
Midway through the set, Queens' defense stepped up, with Sparks and Norris forming a block that stopped FGCU's attackers and forced several errors. FGCU's Shelby Kent and Skylar English managed some kills to keep the Eagles close, but Queens responded each time with solid net play and smart setting from Buish. Kayla McDuffie was a standout at the net, providing crucial blocks and converting points, which helped maintain Queens' momentum. As the set progressed, FGCU made a push to even the score, taking advantage of some errors on Queens' side. However, Queens quickly regrouped. In the closing points of the set, an ace from Sparks put Queens at match point before McDuffie delivered the final blow with a block on FGCU's English, giving Queens a decisive 25-20 win in the opening set.
In the second set, FGCU tightened up and found a groove. Despite standout kills from Alleigh Johnson and McDuffie, FGCU's improved efficiency led to their first lead change and a 25-20 win off of 13 kills and a .205 hitting percentage.
The third set was a back-and-forth battle with ten ties and several lead changes. The Johnson duo kept the team competitive with powerful kills, while the Royals' defense, especially from Tilley Collins, kept FGCU at bay for much of the set. However, FGCU's late push, including critical kills from Ella Chapman, secured them another 25-20 set win.
Queens faced an uphill battle in the fourth set as FGCU gained momentum early and jumped to an 8-0 lead. Despite valiant efforts from McDuffie and Norris, FGCU's service game and offensive pressure sealed the set 25-13 and clinched the match 3-1.
ROYAL RUNDOWN
UP NEXT
The Royals are back on the road for a match against Jacksonville on Friday, Nov. 8.
SOCIAL MEDIA
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