CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Head Coach Jeremy Price secured his 200th career win while graduate student-standout Jack Brinkman earned the all-time program kills leader title after defeating Barton 3-2 (25-21, 21-25, 25-20, 22-25, 15-6) inside the Levine Center on Wednesday, March 13.

Brinkman needed 10 kills on the night to tie the all-time program kills number (898), set by Tristan Santoyo '21. Brinkman finished with a season-high 22 kills over the Bulldogs to now sit at 910 kills in a Queens uniform.

SET BY SET
He secured the first kill of the night and followed it up with a service ace before Barton responded with a four-point rally in the first set. Sooner than later, a few kills from Chance Shampine and Brinkman's program-record breaking eleventh kill would reset the Royals and push them to five-point lead before a finalizing kill from Matt Mongin would seal the first set win, 25-21.

The second set would go Barton's way after the Bulldogs hit a .313 with 13 kills. Brandon Johnston would secure five kills in the second set alone to aid in the 25-21 Barton triumph.

In the third set, Queens jumped back and never lost their lead. With their best hitting percentage on the night (.333), the Royals secured 16 kills and held Barton off to get ahead in the match 2-1.

Miscues from the Royals resulted in an early advantage for the Bulldogs in the fourth set, but the Royals soon tied things up at seven-all. But blocks from Ben Wiechert and Jake Adams would pace the Bulldog squad to a 25-22 win, sending the match to five sets.

Despite the setback, Queens wasted no time in the fifth frame making sure they left the arena with a win — jumping to an 11-4 lead with no Bulldog energy left to give. The Royals solidified the milestone-filled night with a final 15-6 fifth set victory.

COACH JEREMY PRICE REMARKS
"Getting 200 is great, it means I have been around a while," Head Coach Jeremy Price said. "I hope I can get 201 and 202 on Saturday. But it was great to get that on such a big night for Jack Brinkman. He had a great match for us. Our libero play was outstanding, Ryan Cymbor was great in serve-receive, Chris Peters was great defensively … it was definitely shaky at times, especially going to five sets, but a lot of good things came out of tonight."
 

UP NEXT
Up next, the Royals face Fort Valley State and Tusculum in a tri-match hosted by Queens starting at noon on Saturday, March 16.