MOUNT OLIVE – In a five-set battle at Kornegay Arena, the University of Mount Olive women's volleyball team dropped its home opener to Conference Carolinas foe Belmont Abbey.

The Trojans slipped to 1-1 in league play after the Crusaders rallied from a two-set deficit.

Mount Olive dominated the opener 25-15 with a 7-0 run sparked by kills from Ashlyn Haynie and Danielle Parker, plus four Belmont Abbey errors. The Trojans carried that momentum into set two, building a double-digit lead before closing 25-18. Setter Tanton, who finished with 30 assists, fed nine different attackers in the frame.

Set three saw both teams trade runs. UMO led 17-11, but Belmont Abbey tied it at 19. Despite capitalizing on Crusader errors late, the Trojans dropped the set 25-23. The Crusaders controlled most of set four, winning 25-18 to force a decider, though UMO made a late 6-1 push with kills from Kaitlyn Landis and Olivia Melvin.

Both teams came out energized in set five, trading long rallies to a 5-5 tie. Melvin rallied UMO early, but an 11-3 Belmont Abbey run sealed the match 15-9.

Defensively, the Trojans racked up 75 digs, led by Sheaffer (16), Kacey Gore (13), and Tanton (12). They also recorded eight block assists, including a solo from Parker.

Belmont Abbey hit .321 over the final two sets with only four errors to clinch the win.

UMO returns to Kornegay Arena tomorrow at 1 p.m. to face Converse.