The Belmont Abbey men's volleyball team suffered a 3-1 loss to the visiting Erskine Flying Fleet this evening inside the Wheeler Center, as the league-leading visitors won the final three sets after the Crusaders claimed the opening set. Scores were 23-25, 30-28, 25-22 and 25-20. Erskine improves to 6-1 overall and remains perfect in league play at 6-0, while the Crusaders fall to 2-3 overall and 1-2 in the league.

The Crusaders took a 1-0 lead in the match behind a .348 attack. The second set was back-and-forth, as the two teams played 13 extra points before a winner was declared. Belmont Abbey had two set points, but Erskine battled back both times then won two straight points to even the match at one.

Erskine's momentum continued throughout the match as it held off the Crusaders in set three, then won set four easily to seal the 3-1 victory.

Nolan Albrecht led the Abbey with 14 kills, his fourth double figure kill effort in five matches this season. Brennan Beyner added 12, two shy of his career-high that he set last season against Alderson-Broaddus. Beyner hit .435 as he smacked down 12 kills on 23 attacks with just two errors. Setter Derek Sullivan handed out 40 assists and also had a pair of service aces.

The Crusaders totaled 24 digs as Albrecht's seven led the way.  Sullivan and Anthony Pippen totaled five each. Albrecht added five block solos with Sullivan recording two.  Sullivan and Snyder each had three block assists.

Belmont Abbey is back in action Saturday night at 7:00 when it hosts New Jersey Tech.