Box Score BRISTOL, Tenn. – In a matchup of two Conference Carolinas heavyweights over the last few years, King faced Belmont Abbey in a key league matchup on Friday evening in a full Student Center Complex. The Crusaders took the first set, but the Tornado responded by their dynamic outside hitters Lauren Willoughby and Ashleigh Manke. King took the next two sets 25-23 before taking the fourth set 25-19 to take the 3-1 victory and pull even with the Crusaders in the Conference Carolinas standings.
THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: King 3, Belmont Abbey 1 (22-25, 25-23, 25-23, 25-19)
LOCATION: Student Center Complex, Bristol, Tenn.
RECORDS: King 13-11, 7-4 Conference Carolinas, Belmont Abbey 13-9, 7-4 Conference Carolinas
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Crusaders controlled the first set as they never trailed and there were only four ties in the frame. King made a push at the end, but Belmont Abbey was able to hold off the run to take the opening set 25-22.
- King flipped the script in the second set, grabbed a 4-0 lead and never looking back, holding the lead the whole set. Belmont Abbey made a run late, but the Tornado held on for the 25-23 win behind six kills from Manke and four from Willoughby.
- The third set was the tightest of the night as there were 10 ties and five lead changes. Belmont Abbey took a 16-14 lead before King came back with three straight points. The King advantage grew to 21-18 before Manke gave King the 25-23 victory with one of her six kills in the set. Willoughby accounted for 10 kills in the victory for the Tornado.
- The fourth set was tight in the early going, but the Tornado used a 5-0 run to grab a 14-9 lead and control of the frame. King never trailed from that point on, taking the set 25-19 and the match 3-1.
- Willoughby and Manke led the way offensively for the Tornado, accounting for 23 and 20 kills, respectively. Willoughby also added 13 digs for the double-double.
- Setter Olivia Underwood posted a double-double as well, handing out 50 assists to go along with 11 digs.
- Grace Underwood chipped in with eight kills and eight digs.
- Amy Serowski led the defense with 19 digs while Casey Williams accounted for 13 digs.
FOR THE FOES
- Hannah Schellenberg led the Crusaders with 20 kills and 13 digs for the double-double.
- Aimee Cloninger also posted a double-double, going for 14 kills and 12 digs.
- Setter Gabby Martinez posted a double-double
- Sarah Kenney led Belmont Abbey with 19 digs.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- For Willoughby the 23 kills mark a career-high. Her previous career-best of 18 came in the opening match of the season. She also leads King with seven double-doubles on the year.
- Manke also set a career-high with 20 kills, her first match with at least 20 kills. Her previous career-best came earlier this season when she 18 kills.
- For Olivia Underwood the double-double marks her fifth of the season, and it was her second match of the season with at least 50 assists.
UP NEXT
- King will be in action in the Student Center Complex again on Saturday when they host Pfeiffer University at 2:00 p.m.
- Belmont Abbey travels to Lees-McRae College on Saturday afternoon.
