GAFFNEY, S.C. --- The Tusculum men's volleyball team challenged the Limestone Saints on Friday (Feb. 26) night, falling in four sets to the Independent Volleyball Association (IVA) newcomer.

The Saints (5-4, 1-1 IVA) won by scores of 25-18, 25-16, 23-25, 25-16 to win over the Pioneers (0-5, 0-2 IVA).

Francisco Salinger Cenzual's 15 kills powered the Limestone offense on a solid .387 hitting percentage. Five other Saints notched at least five kills on the night. Christos Gkitersos handed out 45-of-50 assists for the home team. Spencer Saint-Eloi and Salinger Cenzual served up a pair of aces. Libero Michal Podgorzak had a career night, racking up 26 digs, over half of Limestone's 47 total. The defense at the net was led by Geraldo Rivera (one solo, one assist), Niall Burton (one solo, one assist), and Jon Igo (two assists), as they were credited with two total blocks each.

Dane Loup was the lone Pioneer to reach double-digit kills with 10. Shaun Kampshoff (9), Caleb Slater (7), and Shaphar Grant (6) were close behind. Slater averaged a .385 clip and Grant net a .308 rate. Lucas Blanco dished out 30 of TU's 38 assists and was tied for the team lead with four total blocks (two solo, two assists). Slater is also credited with four (one solo, three assists). Kampshoff landed a team-best two aces, while Blanco, Grant, and Slater rounded out the category. Peter Stewart headed up the dig column with a season-high 12 digs.

Limestone finished the match with a .327 hitting percentage with 52 kills and 15 attack errors in 113 total attempts. Tusculum totaled 40 kills, 22 errors, and 112 swings for a .161 hitting percentage. The Saints led the Pioneers in assists (50-38), digs (47-37), aces (6-5) and total blocks (7-6).

Tusculum continues its road trip on Saturday (Feb. 27) at Queens University of Charlotte. First serve between the Pioneers and Royals is scheduled for 4 p.m.