Men's Volleyball Falls To Belmont Abbey 3-1 In Conference Carolinas Quarterfinals

Men's Volleyball Falls To Belmont Abbey 3-1 In Conference Carolinas Quarterfinals

Robert Poole struck for a career-high 27 kills, but it was not enough as the fifth-seeded University of Mount Olive fell to the fourth-seeded Belmont Abbey Crusaders 25-19, 26-24, 23-25, 26-24 in the Quarterfinals of the 2016 Conference Carolinas Men's Volleyball Championship Saturday night in Belmont, N.C. 

Mount Olive (12-12 Overall, 11-7 Conference Carolinas) had the lead in the opening set 8-5 before a 6-0 run by Belmont Abbey (18-10, 11-7) gave the Crusaders the lead 11-8. The set went on to be tied six more times before the Crusaders ended the set on 7-0 run.

In the second set the Trojans kept the set close as Mount Olive tied the set six times, but was never able to get the go ahead point. Down 17-13 Mount Olive, fought back. The Trojans sparked a six point run, with three points coming off three blocked shots by Poole, and Mount Olive led 19-17.

Belmont Abbey, however, ended the second set in similar fashion by taking the final three points in the set.

In the third set, Mount Olive was able to hold on as the set never managed to get beyond two points. The Trojans got the final two points of the set and the two squads went to a fourth set.

In the final set Mount Olive was within two points from forcing a fifth set, however, Belmont Abbey triggered a four point run to end the set and take the match.

Poole added 10 digs to his career-high kills total to lead Mount Olive. Ivan Trifunovic added 10 kills and seven digs. Jeff Yasalonis helped set the offense with 49 assists and added five digs.

Mount Olive ends the 2016 season at .500 on the year including a three set victory over Division I Saint Francis (PA).