BRISTOL, Tenn. — King University returned to the Student Center Complex on Saturday morning for its second Conference Carolinas matchup of the week but was unable to slow down a sharp and efficient Mount Olive squad, falling 3–0 (25–14, 25–23, 25–18). The Tornado battled through long rallies and produced late-set pushes, but the Trojans' offensive rhythm and blocking presence proved too much to overcome. King drops to 2–5 overall and 0–2 in league play, while Mount Olive improves to 5–3 (2–0 CC).
Set One: Trojans Take Control Early
Mount Olive wasted no time establishing momentum, using a balanced attack and steady serving to build separation.
- Kory Grant powered the Trojans with six kills in the opening frame.
- Mount Olive hit .212 as a team and added three blocks to disrupt King's rhythm.
King struggled to find consistency offensively, posting eight kills but committing nine errors. The Trojans closed the set 25–14.
Set Two: King Responds With Energy
The Tornado delivered their strongest stretch of the match in the second set, producing eight ties and four lead changes.
- Alessandro Fermani sparked the offense with aggressive swings on the pin.
- Joao Pedro Ribeiro distributed the ball effectively, adding 22 assists by the end of the match.
King held a late lead, but Mount Olive's blocking unit — led by Grant and Matthew Ekberg — tightened in the final points. A 4–1 Trojan run sealed a narrow 25–23 decision.
Set Three: Mount Olive Closes the Door
King continued to battle in the third set, posting 11 kills and staying within striking distance early.
- Kellen Woolm delivered a standout frame, finishing with six kills on .600 hitting.
- Tristan Brassington added eight kills and nine digs to keep the Tornado within reach.
But Mount Olive's efficiency surged, hitting .444 in the final set behind Grant's dominant performance. The Trojans used a mid-set run to pull away and secured the sweep with a 25–18 win.
Mount Olive's Balanced Attack Leads the Way
The Trojans hit .250 as a team and showcased depth across the lineup:
| Player |
Stat Line |
| Kory Grant |
16 kills, .517 hitting, 1 ace, 5 digs, 17.0 points |
| Brooks Ignosci |
6 kills, 2 blocks, 8.0 points |
| Matthew Ekberg |
4 kills, 3 blocks, 7.5 points |
| Jackson Lahey |
30 assists, 6 digs, 1 ace |
| Jake Bedoya |
3 kills, 2 aces, 5.5 points |
Mount Olive finished with 5 solo blocks and 4 block assists, controlling the net throughout the match.
King Statistical Leaders
| Player |
Stat Line |
| Alessandro Fermani |
8 kills, 5 digs, 8.5 points |
| Tristan Brassington |
8 kills, 9 digs, 8.5 points |
| Kellen Woolm |
6 kills, .600 hitting, 2 blocks |
| Colton Bueter |
3 kills, 4 digs, 1 ace |
| Joao Pedro Ribeiro |
22 assists, 8 digs, 1 ace |
King totaled 29 kills, 40 digs, and eight block assists.
Up Next
King returns to the Student Center Complex on Tuesday, Feb. 17 at 7:00 p.m. to host North Greenville, looking to regroup and capture its first conference win of the season.
