TIGERVILLE, S.C. --- The Tusculum University men's volleyball team has its winning ways ended on Thursday night (Jan. 19) at the hands of North Greenville.
The Crusaders topped the Pioneers by scores of 25-19, 32-30, 25-13.
Michael de la Cruz went 11-for-15 on the evening for a .733 hitting percentage to lead NGU. Diego Rosich followed closely behind with 10 kills on a .438 clip. Jorge Riesgo dished out 31 assists, while Rosich, de la Cruz, and Mark Autry all landed a pair of service aces. Rosich finished with a match-best eight digs. Both Tom Curry (one solo, one assist) and de la Cruz (two assists) were credited with two total blocks.
Dane Loup had an efficient outing with a match-high 12 kills on a .455 rate. Colby Landry and Deklan Wingo added eight and six kills, respectively. Tristan Blake came off the bench to register 20 assists, while Wingo (2) and Landry (1) were responsible for the Pioneer aces. Defensively, Jaden Bramhall recorded five digs, just ahead of Landry's four. Wingo had a hand in every TU block, totaling four assists. Shaphar Grant aided in three.
North Greenville hit .397 as a team with 41 kills and 10 errors on 78 total attempts. Tusculum averaged .167 with 32 kills, 19 errors, and 78 total attacks. The Crusaders recorded more assists (38-30), service aces (8-3), and digs (23-20), while the Pioneers finished with more total blocks (4-3).
Tusculum continues its travels with a stop in Muncie, Indiana at No. 6 Ball State. Saturday's (Jan. 21) match between the Pioneers and nationally-ranked Cardinals is scheduled for 7 p.m.