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Setter Sergio Carrillo delivered a career defensive performance in a season-opening victory.
Carrillo led all players with a career-high eight blocks as North Greenville defeated Tusculum 25-15, 22-25, 27-25, 25-15 in a non-conference match Thursday in Tigerville, South Carolina.
North Greenville finished with 12 blocks — 10 more blocks than Tusculum. In addition, the Crusaders held the second-year independent program to a negative attack percentage in two of the four games.
Along with his defensive performance, Carrillo guided the North Greenville offense to out-hit Tusculum .293 to .053. The Crusaders hit more than .300 in all three games they won, including having a match-best .533 attack percentage in the final game.
All-conference outside attacker Jackson Gilbert led North Greenville with both three aces and 13 kills and was one of three Crusaders with more than five kills. Outside attacker Brandon Baker added eight kills and zero errors on a .381 attack percentage, while freshman middle attacker Emanuel Adames in his college debut had eight kills.
Baker also contributed seven blocks against Tusculum.
Opposite Shaun Kampshoff in the loss had both a team-high 13 kills and six digs. Kampshoff, though, was the only Tusculum player to have double-digit kills.
North Greenville following this victory will play one more non-conference match versus Limestone on Wednesday before starting conference play in February.