DUE WEST, S.C. (April 6) – The Trojan offense was limited to 31 kills on a .169 hitting percentage on Saturday afternoon in a 3-1 loss at Erksine in Conference Carolinas play.
With the loss, the University of Mount Olive men's volleyball team falls to 15-9 overall behind an 8-5 mark in league action. Entering the final week of the regular season, the Trojans have secured the No. 4 seed in the Conference Carolinas Tournament and will host a home postseason match. Meanwhile, Erskine improves to 13-9 this season with a 9-4 record in conference play.
Senior
Hayden Frear led the team with eight kills while adding nine digs and one service ace in three sets played. Junior
Holden Maryott finished with six kills on a .308 clip and controlled the net with five blocks. Sophomore
Kory Grant totaled six kills, one block, and five digs, while senior
Chance Gallardo produced six kills on a .500 hitting percentage.
Sophomore
Jackson Lahey guided the offense with 25 assists while tallying two kills, five blocks, and four digs.
In the first set, the Flying Fleet mounted a 9-2 run to establish a 13-6 advantage before the Trojans countered with back-to-back points. With Erskine leading 17-9, Mount Olive scored four of the following five points to cut the deficit to 18-13. The Flying Fleet countered with a 4-1 run before taking the first set, 25-18.
Both sides produced runs to begin the second set before Erskine tallied six of the next eight points to take a 15-12 edge. The Trojans rallied to tie the contest at 18-18, but the Flying Fleet scored four unanswered points to reclaim a 22-18 advantage. UMO went on a 6-2 rally to knot the contest at 24-24, but Erskine capitalized on consecutive errors to win the set, 26-24.
In the third, Mount Olive held a 14-11 lead after the sides alternated points in the early portion of the set. The Flying Fleet scored six of the following eight points to take a 17-16 edge before UMO rallied back to hold a 23-22 advantage late in the set. Erskine scored three straight points to steal the final set, 25-23.
The Trojans close the regular season on Thursday, April 11, when they host rival Barton in Conference Carolinas play at 7 p.m.
