BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Queens University of Charlotte women's volleyball powered past Gardner-Webb in straight sets, earning a 3–0 victory (29–27, 25–19, 25–19) on Tuesday night inside Paul Porter Arena. With the win, the Royals improved to 9–4 on the season, already matching their win total from last year before ASUN conference play begins.
The opener was a thriller from start to finish, featuring nine ties and three lead changes. Queens found itself trailing 24–21 and facing set point, but fought back with kills from Lauren Stiles and Mia McMillen to extend the frame. After trading points down the stretch, Ellis Sargent and Elizabeth Layson delivered back-to-back kills to clinch the comeback 29–27 victory.
In the second set, the Royals' attack came alive, hitting a .395 with 20 kills. Stiles was unstoppable, putting down five kills on five swings, while Anna Grace Sparks came off the bench to provide four kills and steady defense. Queens used a 6–1 run midway through the set to break open a 13–13 tie and never looked back, pulling away for a 25–19 win.
The Royals carried that momentum into the third set, racing out to a 13–8 lead behind a balanced offense that featured kills from Sparks, Sargent, and Layson. Gardner-Webb attempted to rally, closing within 19–16, but Queens held firm. A Sparks kill and service ace highlighted the final stretch before Stiles sealed the sweep at 25–19 with her 11th kill of the night.
Queens' balanced attack featured four players with seven or more kills. Stiles led the charge with 11 kills on an eye-popping .786 hitting percentage, while Sargent also reached double digits with 11 kills and three blocks. Sparks added seven kills and nine digs in just two sets of action, and Layson chipped in seven kills and three blocks. McMillen anchored the back row with a match-high 23 digs.
Setters Tyler Peluso (26 assists) and Megan Kelly (18 assists) guided the Royals to a .239 hitting percentage, while the defense limited Gardner-Webb to just .127. Queens also out-dug the Bulldogs 75–59 and matched them with seven blocks apiece.
Head Coach Matt Stolz praised the all-around team performance. "Great team win tonight. We really challenged our middles and right sides, and they stepped up. Lauren Stiles was outstanding with 11 kills on 14 swings — that's a true testament to her hard work. I thought we did a great job siding out and had a huge night offensively overall."
Speaking on this weekend's start to ASUN play, Stolz is excited for the challenge.
"We're super excited to open ASUN play on Friday against Jacksonville. They're a high-level team, and it will be a great opportunity to showcase the work we've put in and how much we've improved."
UP NEXT
Queens will open up ASUN play against Jacksonville on Friday at home with a 7 PM start.
SOCIAL MEDIA
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