TIGERVILLE, S.C. (Feb. 12) – Facing the defending conference champions, the University of Mount Olive men's volleyball team fell by a 3-0 margin at North Greenville in Conference Carolinas play on Saturday afternoon.

With the loss, the Trojans fall to 4-5 overall behind a 0-2 record in conference action. The all-time record between the two sides is 8-8 dating back to 2015, with North Greenville winning the previous five matches. Meanwhile, the Crusaders improve to 7-3 this season with a 2-1 mark in league play.

Sophomore Holden Maryott paced the team with eight kills on a .800 hitting percentage with two digs and four blocks (all assisted) over three sets played. Senior Pedro Gonzalez finished with six kills on a .333 clip with four blocks (three assisted), while sophomore Tate Sandvig tallied six kills in the loss. Freshman Jackson Lahey directed the offense with 27 assists and added five digs, two blocks (all assisted), and one ace.

Senior Trevor Treser led the defensive effort with a team-high eight digs, and Sandvig finished with seven against the Crusaders. Junior Hayden Frear registered six digs for UMO, while Lahey and fellow junior Justin Gregory each produced five digs.

North Greenville established an early 1-0 advantage after taking the opening set behind 13 kills. The Trojans tied the first set at 4-4 after recording three-straight points, including an ace from Gregory. The Crusaders mounted a 12-5 run to take a significant 16-9 advantage after recording nine kills during that span. Mount Olive was unable to string together a rally to close the gap, as North Greenville took the first set by a 25-16 margin.

Both teams produced double-digit kills in the second set with the Crusaders taking a 2-0 lead. UMO managed to build a 6-3 advantage following kills from three different players to begin the set. The Crusaders tied the contest at 8-8 after scoring five of the following seven points before both sides exchanged the next nine points. North Greenville produced a 7-2 run to build a 23-17 lead before the Trojans closed the gap with three-straight points, 23-20. The Crusaders won the second set 25-21 after totaling two of the final three points, 25-21.

North Greenville clinched the 3-0 sweep in the third set after tallying 17 kills on a .371 hitting percentage. Mount Olive established a 5-4 advantage after a kill by Maryott before the Crusaders scored seven unanswered points to take an 11-5 lead. The Trojans closed the gap to 15-11 behind a kill from Frear before later going on a 6-1 run to trim the deficit to 20-18. The sides would trade the following six points before back-to-back kills from the Crusaders secured the win, 25-21

The Trojans return to the court on Wednesday, Feb. 15, when they begin a six-game homestand versus Queens (N.C.) in Kornegay Arena, starting at 6 p.m.