BRISTOL, Tenn. — King University returned to the Student Center Complex on Friday evening looking to snap a conference skid, but visiting Erskine proved too efficient offensively, handing the Tornado a 3–1 loss (25–20, 22–25, 25–15, 25–15). King battled through a competitive first half of the match, including a strong second-set win, but Erskine's .288 hitting and balanced attack ultimately carried the Flying Fleet to victory.
The loss moves King to 3–7 (0–4 Conference Carolinas), while Erskine improves to 5–7 (1–4 Conference Carolinas).
Erskine Sets the Tone in the Opening Frame
Erskine opened the match with a steady offensive rhythm, hitting .321 in the first set behind early production from True Bauer and Tyler Kuehl. King kept the score tight through five ties but couldn't generate enough pressure at the net to swing momentum. The Flying Fleet closed the set on a late run to take it 25–20.
King Responds with Strong Second Set
The Tornado found their stride in Set Two, hitting .300—their best percentage of the night. Alessandro Fermani and Carson Pliapol combined for 10 kills in the frame, while setter Joao Pedro Ribeiro distributed the offense with precision, finishing with 28 assists overall.
King used four lead changes and eight ties to stay in control late, ultimately pulling out a 25–22 win to even the match at 1–1.
Erskine Regains Control in Set Three
The momentum shifted sharply in the third set as Erskine's offense surged again, hitting .344 while holding King to –.037. Bauer continued his standout night, and the Flying Fleet capitalized on King's attack errors to take the set 25–15.
Flying Fleet Close Out the Match in Set Four
Erskine maintained its efficiency in the fourth, hitting .333 and limiting King to –.063. Bauer and Kuehl remained dominant, while libero Gino Briglio anchored the defense with 16 digs. King fought through two ties but couldn't slow the Fleet's balanced attack, falling 25–15 as Erskine secured the 3–1 victory.
Erskine's Offensive Balance Leads the Way
The Flying Fleet showcased depth across the lineup, with multiple hitters producing efficiently:
- True Bauer: 21 kills, .368 hitting, 23 points
- Tyler Kuehl: 11 kills, .667 hitting, 13.5 points
- Colin Fahey: 8 kills, .538 hitting
- Jacob Mullen: 9 kills, 7 digs
- Gino Briglio: 45 assists, 16 digs, 2 aces
Erskine finished with 59 kills, 50 digs, and 11 total blocks.
Tornado Leaders
Despite the loss, several King players delivered strong individual performances:
King totaled 32 kills, 41 digs, and 12 blocks, but hit just .103 as a team.
Up Next
King returns to action on Saturday, Feb. 28, hosting Emmanuel College at 2:00 p.m. inside the Student Center Complex. The Tornado will look to regroup quickly and capitalize on home-court advantage as conference play continues.
