Due West, S.C. – The King University men's volleyball team put together one of its most competitive performances of the season on Saturday afternoon, but the Tornado ultimately fell 3–1 to Erskine College inside Belk Arena. King (4–15, 0–9 Conference Carolinas) pushed the Flying Fleet (7–9, 3–5 Conference Carolinas) to four sets, dropping the match by scores of 29–27, 23–25, 25–20, 25–15.
The Tornado hit .150 as a team and produced 46 kills, while Erskine countered with 54 kills and a .232 hitting percentage. King saw standout offensive efforts from Carson Pliapol, Kellen Woolm, Dalton Claiborne, and Colton Bueter.
Set One:
The opening set was the tightest of the afternoon, featuring nine ties and four lead changes. King hit .186 behind 13 kills, with Pliapol and Bueter leading the early attack. Despite holding set point at 27–26, the Tornado were unable to close the frame, and Erskine rallied for a 29–27 win.
Set Two:
King answered with a strong second set, hitting .176 with another 13 kills. Claiborne and Woolm sparked the offense, while Joao Pedro Ribeiro distributed 40 assists on the day to keep the attack balanced. King held off a late Erskine push to take the set 25–23 and tie the match 1–1.
Set Three:
The Flying Fleet regained momentum in the third, using a steady block and timely swings to limit King to 11 kills. Erskine hit .162 in the frame and pulled away late for a 25–20 victory, despite strong swings from Pliapol and Claiborne.
Set Four:
Erskine delivered its best offensive set of the afternoon in the fourth, hitting .609 with 15 kills and just one error. King battled behind Woolm and Pliapol, but the Fleet's efficiency proved too much as they secured the match with a 25–15 win.
Statistical Leaders – King University
Offense
Setting
- Joao Pedro Ribeiro: 40 assists, 11 digs
Defense
King finished the match with 48 digs and three service aces.
Up Next
The Tornado return home on Tuesday, March 24, hosting Lincoln Memorial University at 6 p.m. inside the Student Center Complex.
