NGU won the latest Battle of the Crusaders with a 3-0 victory over Belmont Abbey. North Greenville required one extra point but was able to edge out BAC 26-24 in set one. Trailing for most of the second set, NGU came back late to win it 25-22. Set three required extra points as well, but North Greenville was finally able to put three points together to end the set and the match with a score of 28-26. Jackson Gilbert and Aaron Campbell both led with eleven kills each.

Set One (26-24 NGU)

North Greenville led off the night with an early 6-4 lead. Soon after, Belmont Abbey swung the momentum with a 4-1 run to tie the set at 9-9. NGU took the lead back but BAC tied the set again at 15-15. Up 21-19, North Greenville went on a dry spell while Belmont Abbey scored four in a row to get to set point with the score 24-21. However, NGU refused to go down, coming back with five consecutive points to win the first set 26-24.

Set Two (25-22 NGU)

The second set started off with the two teams alternating points, but Belmont Abbey would take the momentum by going on a 5-1 run to take an early 10-5 lead and force North Greenville to take a timeout. That timeout proved to be effective though, as NGU recovered with a 5-2 run to trail by just one point. Late in the set, an 8-2 run by North Greenville allowed them to jump to a 23-20 lead. A kill by Brandon Baker put an end to the set with NGU taking it 25-22. 

Set Three (28-26 NGU)

Like the opening set, North Greenville led early. After BAC tied the set at 5-5, NGU would stay ahead of Belmont Abbey for the majority of the set. BAC would eventually lead for the first time in the set with the score 22-21. Extra points would be required to resolve the set. Trailing 26-25, North Greenville would end the set with three straight points including a kill by Jackson Gilbert to take the set and the match with a score of 28-26.

Individual

Jackson Gilbert recorded 11 kills and led the team in total attacks with 22. He contributed in several other areas with 3 digs, 2 service aces, and a block assist.

Aaron Campbell also put together 11 kills and posted 20 total attacks. He also recorded 3 digs, 3 service aces, and 2 block assists.

Sergio Carrillo neared a double-double with 31 assists and 9 digs. 

Upcoming

North Greenville will begin a three-match home stretch on Friday, February 22nd against the Limestone Saints.