BELMONT, N.C. --- The Tusculum University men's volleyball team fell to Belmont Abbey on Friday (Mar. 15) night in four sets.

The Pioneers (4-15) dropped their match to the Crusaders (12-3) by scores of 20-25, 25-20, 23-25, 21-25.

Matthew Staskunas recorded 18 kills on a .300 hitting percentage to lead Belmont Abbey to victory. Joseph Morris tallied 36 assists, while four teammates landed a service ace: Aidan Acton, Staskunas, Ryan Charles, and Matthew Mokan. Morris also notched a match-high 15 digs as the setter. Jibriel Elhaddad finished with eight total blocks to his credit.

Colby Landry led Tusculum with 16 kills on a .312 clip, just ahead of 11 strikes from Deklan Wingo. Morgan Makovec and Jaden Bramhall each tallied seven kills, while Tristan Blake and Donovan Nye recorded three apiece. Blake dished out 40 assists and was one of three Pioneers to collect an ace, joined by Wingo and Nye. Blake also finished with a team-best seven digs, while Bramhall was credited with a career-high six rejections. Nye also added a season-high five blocks and Makovec added his best four in their respective freshman campaigns.

Belmont Abbey hit .226 as a team with 49 kills and 23 attack errors on 115 total attempts. Tusculum hit .211 with 47 kills, 21 errors, and 123 total attacks. The Crusaders led the Pioneers in assists (48-46), service aces (4-3), digs (42-33), and total blocks (12-10).

Tusculum stays in North Carolina for a tri-match at Queens on Saturday (Mar. 16). The Pioneers will face Fort Valley State at 3 p.m. and the hosting Royals at 6 p.m.