Trojans Topple Saints In Three

MOUNT OLIVE, N.C. --- The University of Mount Olive men's volleyball team defeated the Saints of Limestone College in three sets on Friday evening in Conference Carolinas action at Kornegay Arena in Mount Olive, N.C. Seniors Bret Rutledge and Kian Hollevoet led the Trojan attack with nine kills each.

GAME INFORMATION
Score: Mount Olive 3, Limestone 0 (25-22, 25-18, 25-12)
Records: Mount Olive (13-10, 9-3), Limestone (7-15, 4-8)
Location: Kornegay Arena | Mount Olive, N.C.

How It Happened
Play-by-Play

FIRST SET

• Limestone started the match scoring the first five points of the game forcing the Trojans to call an early timeout.
• Mount Olive came out of the timeout on a 6-1 run tying the set at six all.
• The Saints responded with a 7-3 run going ahead 13-9 as UMO called their second and last timeout of the set.
• After Limestone took a 16-11 lead, Mount Olive kicked things into gear and chipped away at the Saints lead to tie the set at 19 all and force a Limestone timeout.
• Following the timeout, the score tied three times, the last at 22 all, before the Trojans closed out the set on a 3-0 run that included a kill and ace by Bret Rutledge.

SECOND SET

• The Trojans came out more aggressive in the second set as they took an 8-5 lead over the Saints through the opening services. Three back-to-back kills by Luke Visgitis put the Trojans up early.
• Limestone called timeout as the Mount Olive took an 11-7, and following the break the Saints went on an 8-6 run to pull within two points, 17-15, of the Trojans.
• UMO reclaimed the momentum as they closed out the set on an 8-3 run winning set two 25-18 and took a 2-0 match lead. 

THIRD SET

• The Trojans carried their momentum from the close of the second set into the third as they started off on an 11-5 run. Seven kills, a Robert Poole ace, and three Saints errors contributed to the early lead.
• Following the Limestone timeout, the Trojans continued to dominate the set as they only allowed the Saints to score seven points throughout the remainder of the match, as UMO went on to win set three 25-12. 

KEY STATS

• Seniors Bret Rutledge and Kian Hollevoet led the Trojan attack with nine kills each
• Freshman Luke Visgitis was just behind with eight kills on 15 attacks for a .400 hitting percentage.
• Senior setter Jeff Yasalonis assisted his teammates 28 times and put down a kill in the match.
• Rutledge led the defensive end with nine digs while Josh Donahue and Yasalonis each tallied seven.
• Sophomore Yigit Erkek had a strong performance at the net with six total blocks including two solo and four assisted.
• The Trojans tallied 36 kills to the Saints 22 and had a .244 team hitting percentage as opposed to the Saints .040 %.
• Six service aces, three by Robert Poole, contributed to the UMO win.

UP NEXT

Mount Olive is back in action tomorrow as they host North Greenville for the final home game of the regular season. The Trojans and Crusaders meet at 2 p.m. in Kornegay Arena for Senior Day.