BRISTOL, Tenn. — King University returned to the Student Center Complex on Wednesday evening looking to break through in Conference Carolinas play, but visiting North Greenville's efficiency at the net proved too much to overcome. The Crusaders hit .294 as a team and controlled all three sets on their way to a 3–0 sweep of the Tornado (25–17, 25–15, 25–17).
The loss moves King to 3–9 (0–6 Conference Carolinas), while North Greenville improves to 6–2 (4–1 Conference Carolinas). A crowd of 144 was on hand for the midweek matchup.
North Greenville Sets the Tone Early
The Crusaders opened the match with a balanced attack, hitting .150 in the first set while holding King to –.093. Logan Keothavy led the early charge with efficient swings, and North Greenville capitalized on King's 10 attack errors to take the opening frame 25–17. The Tornado kept the set close through one tie and one lead change but couldn't sustain offensive rhythm.
Crusaders' Offense Surges in Set Two
North Greenville found another gear in the second set, hitting a blistering .500 with 18 kills and just two errors. Keothavy, Thomas Roper, and Landon Richter combined for 17 kills in the frame, while setter Andrew Copp directed the offense with 32 assists on the night.
King improved its hitting to .154 in the second, led by Trent Benedict and Brett Lloyd, but the Crusaders' firepower proved too much as NGU pulled away for a 25–15 win and a 2–0 match lead.
North Greenville Closes Out the Sweep
The Crusaders maintained control in the third set, hitting .267 and continuing to pressure King from the service line and at the net. Richter and Jacob Koch added key kills, while libero Yoriano Velez Vega anchored the defense with nine digs.
King showed stretches of strong play—highlighted by nine kills in the set—but attack errors again proved costly. North Greenville closed the match with a 25–17 victory to complete the sweep.
Crusader Leaders
North Greenville showcased a deep and efficient lineup, with multiple hitters contributing:
- Logan Keothavy: 11 kills, .579 hitting, 11.5 points
- Thomas Roper: 8 kills, .227 hitting, 8.5 points
- Landon Richter: 7 kills, .500 hitting, 9.0 points
- Jacob Koch: 5 kills, 3 blocks, 6.5 points
- Yoriano Velez Vega: 9 digs, 6.0 points
- Andrew Copp: 32 assists, 8 digs
The Crusaders totaled 41 kills, 52 digs, and 14 blocks while committing just 11 attack errors.
Tornado Leaders
Despite the loss, several King players turned in solid performances:
King finished with 27 kills, 39 digs, and 4 blocks but hit just –.010 as a team.
Up Next
King will hit the road on Friday, March 6, as they will head to Barry University for a 7:00 p.m. matchup. The Tornado will look to regroup quickly and build momentum as the season progresses.
