Middle attacker Leyton Ritchie saved the best for the decisive fifth game when Belmont Abbey needed it the most.
Ritchie had a team-high two aces and three kills in the final game as Belmont Abbey beat Tusculum 25-23, 25-23, 23-25, 20-25, 15-13 on Saturday in Belmont, North Carolina.
Belmont Abbey trailed 6-3 in the final game before Ritchie had a kill to jumpstart a 5-0 run. The sophomore as part of that run added an ace to tie the game and then another ace to extend the lead.
Ritchie also had two more kills late in the fifth game to help set up multiple match-point opportunities for the Crusaders and secure the non-conference victory.
Tusculum had limited Ritchie to two kills and a zero attack percentage entering the final game. The fifth-game performance, though, propelled the first-year Crusader starter to finish with both a season-high five kills and three aces.
Along with the offensive performance, Ritchie led two-time defending ConfCarolinas champions with five blocks.
Setter Joseph Morris guided the offense to out-hit Tusculum .245 to .193, including the team having a match-best .500 attack percentage in the final game.
Outside attacker Zach Puentes finished with a team-high 17 kills on a .405 attack percentage to help the Crusaders remain undefeated. In addition, Puentes did not commit an attack error until late in the third game and ended the match with two errors.
Outside attacker Caden Day contributed 13 kills and had a game-high six kills in the opening game.
Tusculum outside attacker Reef Mathis in the loss had a match-high 21 kills and hit .400. Mathis, though, was the only Pioneer to have double-digit kills.
Pin-hitter Aiden Roper defensively led all players with a season-high 14 digs against Belmont Abbey.
Tusculum entered this match on a six-match winning streak that featured five victory against ConfCarolinas.