GREENEVILLE, Tenn. --- The Tusculum men's volleyball team faced its second nationally-ranked program of the season, falling to No. 19 Charleston on Sunday (Jan. 28) afternoon.

The Pioneers (1-6) were outdone by the Golden Eagles (5-1) by scores of 25-16, 25-22, 25-15.

For Charleston, Garret Schnitker recorded 18 kills on a .556 hitting rate, as Paul Stommel dished out 27 assists. Cole Duncanson landed half of the Golden Eagles service aces with three, while taking part in seven blocks (three solo, four assists).

Deklan Wingo tallied 13 kills on a .360 clip to head up the Tusculum attack. Earning the start in his first collegiate action, Cameron Reeder added five kills. Morgan Makovec (3), Jaden Bramhall (2), Adam Svendsen (2), Tristan Blake (1), and Colby Landry (1) accounted for the remaining scoring. Blake distributed 22 assists, while Makovec accounted for the Pioneer aces. Defensively, Wingo led the way with a trio of digs and Blake was credited for four rejections (one solo, three assists).

Charleston hit .387 as a team with 34 kills and 10 errors on 62 total attempts. Tusculum hit .067 with 27 kills, 22 errors, and 75 total attacks. The Golden Eagles led the Pioneers in assists (32-24), service aces (6-2), digs (21-13), and total blocks (11-5).

Tusculum makes the farthest trip in program history, traveling to 2023 national finalist Hawai'i for a two-game set. The first match between the Pioneers and No. 4 Rainbow Warriors is scheduled for February 2 at 7 p.m. HT/ 12 a.m. EST.