ASHLAND, Va. (Jan. 13) – The Trojans began the 2024 season with a pair of wins at the Macon Invitational after recording a 3-0 sweep over Roanoke before defeating the host Yellow Jackets by a 3-0 margin on Saturday afternoon.

With the victories, the University of Mount Olive men's volleyball program begins the year with a 2-0 record after facing two opponents from the Continental Volleyball Conference (CVC). Head Coach Yigit Erkek earns his first collegiate win at the helm of the program after being hired in August 2023. Additionally, the Trojans were picked fifth in the preseason Conference Carolinas poll.

Against Roanoke (0-2), Mount Olive posted a 3-0 victory in its season-opening match.

*Note, due to NCAA stat issues there are no current stats available from both matches.

Against Randolph Macon (0-2), the Trojans registered another 3-0 sweep (25-13, 25-16, 25-14) after tallying 34 kills on a .391 hitting percentage while producing seven service aces. Senior Hayden Frear finished with a game-high 10 kills on a .474 clip and added six digs in the win. Sophomore Constantinos Iacovou totaled nine kills with a .667 hitting percentage, while senior Justin Gregory recorded five kills, three aces, and seven digs. Sophomore Jackson Lahey guided the offense with an assist/dig double-double after posting 25 assists and a team-leading 12 digs on Saturday.

At the net, senior Holden Maryott tallied three blocks and Lahey added a pair against the Yellow Jackets

The Trojans return to the court on Thursday, Jan. 18, when they travel to face Queens in Charlotte, North Carolina, at 6 p.m.