MOUNT OLIVE, N.C. — The University of Charleston men's volleyball team pushed Mount Olive to five sets Friday afternoon, but the Trojans pulled out a 3–2 victory at Kornegay Arena.
The Basics:
Location: Mount Olive, N.C. (Kornegay Arena)
Score: Mount Olive 3, Charleston 2 (27–25, 23–25, 23–25, 25–22, 15–10)
Records: Charleston 4–5 (0–0 EIVA); Mount Olive 2–3 (0–0 Conference Carolinas)
How It Happened:
Charleston and Mount Olive traded momentum early in the opening two sets. In set one, Mount Olive used a five-point run to erase a UC lead and build a 9–6 advantage. The Golden Eagles responded and eventually tied the set at 17, with both teams battling through multiple deadlocks to reach a 25–25 tie. Mount Olive closed the frame with the final two points to take a 1–0 lead. Set two followed a similar script, with Charleston reaching double digits first at 10–8. The score knotted again at 16–16 and 22–22, but the Golden Eagles took three of the final four points to even the match at one set apiece.
The third and fourth sets mirrored one another in intensity. Charleston again struck first in set three, reaching double digits at 10–8, before the set tightened with ties at 15–15, 19–19, and 23–23. Kills from Max Nissen and Conrad Spidsø sealed the final two points and gave UC a 2–1 match lead. Mount Olive answered in the fourth, holding a slim edge early before Charleston tied the set at 17–17. Immediately after, the Trojans went on a six-point run to build a 23–17 cushion. UC responded with a four-point surge of its own and closed within two at 22–24, but a service error ended the set and forced a deciding fifth.
Momentum favored Mount Olive in the final set as the Trojans jumped out to a 5–1 lead. Charleston struggled to finish points as Mount Olive reached double digits first with a 10–4 advantage. From there, the teams exchanged points, allowing Mount Olive to close out the set 15–10 and secure the 3–2 win.
Offensively
Conrad Spidsø led Charleston with 25 kills, while Max Nissen added 20 kills. Yotam Briger paced the offense with 35 assists.
Defensively
Spidsø also led the Golden Eagles with 13 digs, followed by Tyler Roukey with 11 digs. Dimitris Manikas finished with three total blocks.
Up Next:
Charleston returns to action Saturday, Feb. 7, facing Catawba College at 7:00 p.m. in Salisbury, N.C.
