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Outside attacker Jack Brinkman in a rivalry match delivered a season-best performance.
Brinkman led all players with both 19 kills and four aces as Queens defeated Belmont Abbey 25-23, 25-19, 22-25, 25-18 on Thursday in Belmont, North Carolina.
The graduate student had at least four kills in all four games, including a game-high six kills in the opening-game victory. In addition,Brinkman with the Royals trailing late in the first game had two kills and a block as part of a 5-1 run to close out the game.
Queens in a match-up between two schools separated by less than 20 miles out-hit Belmont Abbey .285 to .231 and had a match-best .400 attack percentage in the final game.
Both of Queens’ starting middle attackers finished with at least five kills and .500 attack percentage. Stirling Sims had eight kills on a team-best .583 attack percentage, while Daniel Leitao added seven kills and hit .500.
Outside attacker Matthew Pilch also had eight kills and zero errors on a .348 attack percentage against Belmont Abbey (3-1, 0-0 ConfCarolinas).
Zach Puentes in the loss led Belmont Abbey with 15 kills and was the only Crusader to have double-digit kills.
The Royals (4-3, 0-0 MIVA) finished the non-conference match with nine aces – four more aces than the Crusaders. Along with Brinkman, Leitao and serving specialist Jackson Maples each had two aces.
Brinkman defensively also led all players with 12 digs.
Queens with this victory extended its winning streak to four matches. This is the first time this season the Royals have a winning record after starting the season with three losses.