GREENSBORO, N.C. — The Queens University of Charlotte women's volleyball team opened its 2025 season with a 1-1 day at the UNCG Tournament, falling in four sets to host UNC Greensboro before bouncing back with a statement 3-1 win over Gardner-Webb. The victory not only marked the first career head coaching win for Matt Stolz, but also snapped Queens' six-match losing streak against the Runnin' Bulldogs.
In the day's first match, the Royals grabbed the opening set against UNCG, 25-22, behind strong double-double play from Callie DeSchryver (12 kills, 12 digs) and Emma Norris (11 kills, .286). Ellis Sargent added nine kills and three blocks, while libero Tilley Collins anchored the defense with a match-high 21 digs. Despite the early lead, Queens dropped the next three sets (22-25, 17-25, 15-25) as UNCG's Allie Sweet powered the Spartans with 27 kills.
Queens responded with a dominant performance in its afternoon tilt against Gardner-Webb, securing its first win of the season in four sets (25-20, 25-18, 22-25, 25-11). The Royals set the tone early, hitting .262 in the first set and pulling away late behind kills from Mia McMillen and Emma Norris. The momentum carried into the second set, where Queens' offense clicked at a .345 mark, highlighted by Camryn Teasley's attack and a balanced effort from the front line.
The Runnin' Bulldogs fought back in the third, capitalizing on several Queens errors to edge out a tight 25-22 frame and extend the match. But the Royals responded emphatically in the fourth, racing out to an early lead and never looking back in a 25-11 finish. Norris led the attack with 13 kills at a .423 clip, while McMillen added a double-double (10 kills, 17 digs). Setter Megan Kelly kept Gardner-Webb off balance with 23 assists and a team-high five service aces, and Teasley chipped in six kills and four blocks. Defensively, Collins anchored the back row with 19 digs, helping Queens hold Gardner-Webb to just a .036 hitting percentage in the decisive fourth set.
Head Coach Matt Stolz celebrated both the team's bounce-back effort and his first career victory. "We saw some great fight from our group today," Stolz said. "We learned a lot from the first match and came out more composed against Gardner-Webb. It's a great first step for us, and I couldn't be more proud to get this first win with this team."
UP NEXT
Next, the Royals finish out the Spartan Classic against Sacred Heart at 11:00 AM on Saturday, August. 30.
SOCIAL MEDIA
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