MOUNT OLIVE, North Carolina - The University of Mount Olive men's volleyball team defeated the Royals of Queens University 3-2 on Friday night inside Kornegay Arena. The game was the season-opener for both teams.
GAME INFORMATION
Mount Olive fell behind early losing the first two points of the set. Queens expanded the lead to five and held that for most of the set. The Trojans came as close as 22-19 off a three point run but the Royals took the first set 25-20.
Set two was much the same as the first however in the Trojans favor as UMO took an early lead, but the score between the two squads remained close. It was not until a Pedro Gonzalez kill, with UMO up 15-12, that Mount Olive used a 3-0 run to expand their lead to the largest of the set at 18-12. Pairs of points were exchanged but UMO's lead held and the evened the sets at one all.
The third set had point swings of four points for each side, but with Queens taking the 3-0 lead from the start the Royals held a lead for most of the set. Three unanswered points from UMO allowed the Trojans to tie the set at 21. The set was tied three more time before Mount Olive took the final two points and moved a head 2-1.
The fourth set began all UMO with the Trojans holding 7-3 lead. The grew to as high as 12-7, before a 10-1 run allowed Queens to take control 20-15. Mount Olive made it close in the end but fell 25-21 forcing a deciding fifth set.
The final set had the Trojans take a 3-1 lead to start the final frame. The next nine points went back-and-forth, before UMO took control. Mount Olive ended the set on an 8-4 run to win the final set 15-10 and the match 3-2.
Trojan Leaders
The Trojans were led by Tobi Azeez with 24 kills in the match. Jarrod Ferguson tallied 38 of the team's 50 assists. Tobi Azeez led the defense with 15 digs.
Queens Leaders
The Royals were led by JP Payne with 12 kills. Daniel Leitao collected 39 assists and Josh Bragg tallied 19 digs.
Key Moment
The biggest momentum swing came in the final set when UMO ended the frame on an 8-4 run the win the set and match.
Up Next
Mount Olive will remain at home to open up the 2021 season on February 5 at 7 p.m. whent the Trojans host the Lions of Emmanuel College.
