VOLLEYBALL: Trojans win conference opener

By UMO Media Relations
Published in Sports on January 18, 2017 9:57 AM

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MISENHEIMER -- The University of Mount Olive men's volleyball team picked up a key Conference Carolinas road win with a dominant three-set sweep of Pfeiffer University, 25-15-, 25-17, 25-15 on Tuesday night.

UMO opened the first set with a quick 13-2 run, and continued its hot start by extending the lead to 17-5. Pfeiffer pulled within nine on three different occasions but the Trojans fought off every chance, winnng the set 25-15.

The Trojans outhit the Falcons .333 to .118 in the first set.

In the second set, the Falcons managed to stick with the Trojans -- at least in the first few points.

UMO held a narrow 6-5 in the beginning of the second set, but used a 10-2 run to take complete control and win the set 25-17.

Similar to the second set, Pfeiffer hung around in the final stanza.

The Trojans held a slim 10-7 lead midway through the third set. However, UMO countered Pfeiffer's momentum with a quick 7-3 run to push its lead to 17-10. The lead proved too much for the Falcons to overcome.

UMO junior Robert Poole led with 14 kills on 25 total attacks -- good for a .440 hitting percentage. Senior Alex Palmatier recorded eight kills with a .636 hitting percentage along with four block assists.

Leading the Trojans in assists and digs was junior Jeff Yasalonis, who notched 16 assists and six digs.

Tuesday night's match was UMO's best offensive game of the season. The Trojans hit a season-high .484 as a team compared to just .228 by Pfeiffer.

UMO (2-3, 1-0 CC) continues Conference Carolinas play on Jan. 24 when the Trojans face a road match with Belmont Abbey at 7 p.m.