University of Mount Olive defeated Lees-McRae College 25-18, 25-17, 30-28 in Conference Carolinas men's volleyball Friday night from Banner Elk, N.C.
Mount Olive (12-10 Overall, 11-6 Conference Carolinas) took the first two points of the opening set and went on to hold an eight point led for most of the set. The Trojans lead shrunk to as little as seven but Lees-McRae was unable to get any closer than that and fell in the first set.
The second set saw much of the same. Mount Olive took the first three points of the set and continued to hold onto the lead and the Bobcats were able to draw to within six before a 4-1 run late in the set. The Trojans took the second set on a service error by Lees-McRae and looked to close out the match in three sets.
In the final set the led again stayed with the Trojans for most of the set until Lees-McRae tied the set at 19. Mount Olive never lost the lead although the set went on to be tied seven more time before the Trojans took the final set and match point from the Bobcats.
Ivan Trifunovic led the Trojans with a .462 hitting percentage while he picked up eight kills, second on the team, with nine digs and assisted on three blocks. Andrew Sydow had a team high nine kills and added seven block assists.
Mount Olive will travel next to King University Saturday. Match time is scheduled for 11 a.m.