GREENEVILLE, Tenn. – The King University men's volleyball team dropped their nonconference matchup on Tuesday to Tusculum University, 3-0.
AJ Drooker led the Tornado with 13 kills and four digs.
THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Tusculum 3, King 0 (25-23, 25-21, 25-15)
LOCATION: Pioneer Arena; Greeneville, Tenn.
RECORDS: King 6-19; Tusculum 7-22
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Set
- King held an early 8-5 lead before Tusculum scored five of the next six points to pull ahead 10-9.
- King took a 17-14 lead off a stretch of scoring five of seven points, including service aces from Kellan Kennedy and Aiden Olson.
- After the Tornado took a 22-21 lead, the Pioneers scored four of the final five points, winning the set 25-23.
Second Set
- Kennedy put the Tornado up 1-0 before the Pioneers scored four in a row, taking a 4-1 lead.
- The Pioneers stretched their lead to 14-7 before King started to rally.
- King scored six of the next eight points, pulling to within 16-13, forcing Tusculum to call a timeout.
- The Tornado got to within 23-21 on another Kennedy kill, but the Pioneers took the final two points, winning the set 25-21.
Third Set
- The Pioneers took an early 10-3 lead.
- King pulled to within 14-9, with Alex Barkley getting a kill with Grayson Stoudt and Colton Bueter getting a combined block.
- Tusculum continued to maintain their lead, taking a 24-14 lead late before a Kennedy kill brought King to within 24-15.
- The Pioneers took the final point, winning the set 25-15 and taking the match 3-0.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Drooker finished with 13 kills and four digs, along with a block assist.
- Kennedy had nine kills, while Stoudt added seven.
- Aiden Olson handed out 26 assists.
FOR THE FOES
- Colby Landry finished with 13 kills and eight digs, while Deklan Wingo had 12 kills and six digs on the night.
- Tristan Blake handed out a team-high 32 assists.
UP NEXT
- The Tornado will close the regular season Thursday night at Lees-McRae College. First serve from Banner Elk, N.C. is scheduled for 7 p.m.
- Tusculum will face Lincoln Memorial Friday night in the IVA Tournament Semifinals.
