CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Despite their dueling first set against the Cardinals of No. 12 Ball State, Queens couldn't seal the deal, falling 3-0 (22-25, 15-25, 16-25).
TURNING POINT
Queens came out and attacked early on the nationally-ranked Cardinals squad in the first set, slamming 11 kills. In the frame, there were 10 tie scores and three lead changes — but a huge kill from Tinaishe Ndavazocheva and a block from Ndavazocheva, Will Patterson, and Lucas Machado would snag the 25-22 triumph.
MATCH NOTABLES
- Shaphar Grant led the Royals on offense with seven kills and a .455 hitting percentage, his highest hitting percentage since facing Purdue Fort Wayne on Feb. 9.
- Chance Shampine also finished with seven kills, his second match in a row hitting seven kills or higher.
- Daniel Leitao led the assist game with 23, leading the match compared to Ball State's Lucas Machado who only pieced together 15.
- Albert Warzocha dug up nine balls tonight in Muncie to lead his squad. Queens outdug the Cardinals by seven, 29-22.
- Queens struggled on the block tonight, as the team combined for six total (three from Grant, three from Leitao). Rodney Wallace alone led the Cardinals with five.
REMARKS FROM COACH JEREMY PRICE
"Ball State is obviously a really good team and they played really well tonight," Head Coach Jeremy Price said. "I thought Chance Shampine after a little bit of a rough start really settled into the match nicely. Shaphar Grant had one of his best matches and certainly one of his best conference matches tonight — he really did a nice job for us. As a team, we have to do a better job responding. We will regroup we look forward to another opportunity against a great Ball State team on Sunday afternoon."
UP NEXT
Up next, the Royals head back for the rematch to face Ball State in Muncie, Ind. on March 3. First serve is slated for 2:00 PM on Sunday.
SOCIAL MEDIA
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