Trojan spikers sweep in-state foe Belmont Abbey

By UMO Sports Information
Published in Sports on March 29, 2014 11:24 PM

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UMO Sports Information

MOUNT OLIVE -- One of four seniors honored during pre-match ceremonies, University of Mount Olive opposite Steven Cruse posted his second consecutive double-double during a 27-25, 25-13, 25-20 triumph over in-state Conference Carolinas foe Belmont Abbey on Saturday afternoon.

Cruse delivered a 16-kill, 12-dig performance for the Trojans, who extended their win streak to seven matches heading into Tuesday's regular-season finale at archrival Barton College.

The three-set affair also marked the final home match for Angel Dache, Renzo Rossato and Bastian Steppin. Rossato and Dache recorded eight kills apiece against the Abbey, which dropped to 3-24 overall and 1-12 against league opposition this season.

Quaid Marin dished out 38 assists.

The Trojans owned a 48-26 advantage in total kills and limited the Crusaders to a .143 hitting percentage for the match. UMO hit .366 as a team with just 14 errors in 93 attempts.

UMO head women's volleyball coach and assistant men's coach Sarah Lusk was also recognized prior to the match. The former Division II standout at CSU-Pueblo has accepted a position as assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at West Point.

The Crusaders battled to a 22-22 tie in the opening set. Dache was part of blocks on the next two points to put UMO at set point.

Evan Young's kill saved one set point for Belmont Abbey, which tied the set at 24-24 on a Trojan attack miscue.

Two sideouts and a hitting error later, Dache served his his first ace of the match to close out the opening set.

In the second set, Cruse and Lewis Einarson both served back-to-back aces and Mount Olive served six aces on its way to an 11-4 lead.

Cruse added one more ace and Dache's kill put the margin at double figures for the first time at 19-9. Rossato's kill on set point gave the Trojans a two-set lead.

Mount Olive (13-10 overall) broke away from a 16-16 tie in the third set a pair of kills by Cruise and consecutive blocks involving Alex Palmatier highlighted a 7-2 run to give the Trojans a 23-18 lead.

Cruse put home his final kill from the right side to seal the overall outcome.