JACKSONVILLE, FLA. — The Queens University of Charlotte volleyball team made program history Friday night, earning its first-ever victory over Jacksonville in a five-set battle at Swisher Gymnasium. The Royals rallied after dropping the opening set, claimed back-to-back wins to take a 2-1 lead, and responded in the decisive fifth set to secure the 3-2 victory (20-25, 25-20, 25-22, 18-25, 15-8).
THE SHORT STORY
Jacksonville took the opening set, but Queens answered with a more efficient offensive performance in the second and third frames to move within one set of the win. The Dolphins evened the match at two sets apiece in the fourth, setting up a decisive fifth set.
Queens delivered its strongest start of the night when it mattered most, opening the final frame with five consecutive points. The Royals maintained control through the remainder of the set, closing out the 15-8 win to secure the program's first-ever victory over Jacksonville.
SET-BY-SET BREAKDOWN
- Jacksonville claimed the opening set, using a productive attack to finish with 14 kills and a .275 hitting percentage. Queens recorded 10 kills in the frame and worked to stay within reach, including a stretch that brought the score level at 11-11. The Dolphins regained the advantage and held on to take the first set, putting the Royals in an early 1-0 deficit.
- The Royals responded in the second set to even the match. Queens finished with 12 kills and hit .216, improving on its opening-set offensive numbers. The defensive effort also helped shift momentum as the Royals created opportunities to take control of the frame and even the match at one set apiece.
- Queens carried that momentum into the third set, recording 13 kills and hitting .200. The Royals edged Jacksonville 25-22 to take a 2-1 lead in the match. With the opportunity to close out the contest in four sets, Queens entered the fourth looking to finish the job.
- Jacksonville answered in the fourth set to force a deciding frame. The Dolphins pulled away to win 25-18, sending the match to a fifth set and putting the outcome back in the balance.
- Queens came out aggressively in the deciding set, opening with a 5-0 run. The Royals maintained the advantage even as Jacksonville attempted to close the gap, leading 8-4 before the Dolphins cut the deficit to one at 8-7. Queens responded with a decisive push, extending the lead to 11-7 and continuing to build separation. The Royals scored four of the final five points to finish the set 15-8 and complete the historic victory.
ROYAL RUNDOWN
- Elizabeth Layson led Queens with 13 kills, while Emma Norris and Callie DeSchryver each contributed 12. Norris posted a team-best .313 hitting percentage among the Royals' leading attackers and added five block assists. DeSchryver paired her 12 kills with 18 digs to contribute on both sides of the ball.
- Kyla Coffey delivered 11 kills and five block assists, making an impact off the bench. Her performance was especially notable in the decisive fifth set, where she teamed with Norris on a block during Queens' opening run and helped the Royals establish early control.
- Tilley Collins led the defensive effort with 25 digs, while setter Marlee Cook recorded 41 assists and 15 digs. Cook helped distribute the offense as Queens totaled 55 kills across the five-set match.
- As a team, Queens hit .128, compared with Jacksonville's .145. The Royals recorded three service aces, while the Dolphins finished with six. Queens' 91 digs helped the team stay in the match through four competitive sets before pulling away in the fifth.
POSTMATCH COMMENTS
- "The girls had relentless pursuit of the ball tonight and did an incredible job executing our game plan. Kyla Coffey did an incredible job coming off the bench tonight with all of her blocks and her kills. We're excited to compete tomorrow against North Florida," said head coach Matt Stolz.
UP NEXT
Queens returns to action Saturday against North Florida.
SOCIAL MEDIA
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