Bristol, Tenn. – King University hosted Belmont Abbey on Monday evening in a Conference Carolinas matchup but was unable to slow the Crusaders' efficient offense, falling 3–0 (25–19, 25–19, 25–20). Belmont Abbey controlled the tempo throughout the match, using a balanced attack and strong play at the net to secure the sweep. King continues to search for its first conference win, while Belmont Abbey adds another league victory to its record.
First Set: Belmont Abbey Controls Early Pace
Belmont Abbey established control early, dictating the rhythm of play from the opening points.
- The Crusaders used efficient hitting and strong net presence to build separation midway through the set.
- King remained within striking distance but couldn't overcome the deficit, falling 25–19.
Second Set: Crusaders Extend Lead with Consistent Attack
The second set mirrored the first, with Belmont Abbey maintaining steady offensive pressure.
- The Crusaders continued their balanced attack, limiting King's ability to string together scoring runs.
- Despite competitive stretches, King dropped the set 25–19 as Belmont Abbey took a 2–0 lead.
Third Set: King Shows Late Push, Belmont Abbey Closes Match
- King found more rhythm in the final set, showing increased energy and offensive production.
- Carson Pliapol led the Tornado with a team-high 11 kills, pacing the offense.
- The Tornado kept the set closer, but Belmont Abbey closed strong to secure a 25–20 win and complete the sweep.
Balanced Crusader Attack Powers Sweep
| Player |
Stat Line |
| Zach Puentes |
8 kills, .538 hitting, 8 points |
| Caden Day |
9 kills, .368 hitting, 9.5 points |
| Jibriel Elhaddad |
5 kills, 6 blocks, 9 points |
| Joseph Morris |
30 assists, 5.5 total blocks, 7.5 points |
Belmont Abbey's efficiency offensively and presence at the net proved to be the difference throughout the match.
King Statistical Leaders
King totaled 29 kills on the match and showed defensive effort across the lineup, but struggled to find a consistent offensive rhythm against Belmont Abbey's system.
Up Next
The Tornado will look to regroup as they hit the road on April 3 for a non-conference matchup at Tusculum.
