The Belmont Abbey men's volleyball team lost a key five set match to the visiting Limestone Saints this evening inside the Wheeler Center, as the Saints claimed the decisive set 15-12 to post the 3-2 victory. Limestone won by scores of 21-25, 25-20, 25-20, 15-25 and 15-12 to improve its record to 11-14 overall and 9-7 in Conference Carolinas, while the Abbey drops to 12-12 overall and 8-8 in league play.

Both teams struggled at the service line, as each finished with 16 service errors.

Belmont Abbey hit .296 and held Limestone to a .071 attack to grab the early 1-0 lead, but the Saints offense came alive in the second and third sets. Limestone hit .478 in the second and .212 in the the third to move ahead 2-1.

The Crusaders staved off elimination with an easy ten point win in the fourth set as they hit .385 and held Limestone to a .036.

The fifth set was closely played early until the Saints pulled away late. Tied at eight, the Saints reeled off three straight points to power ahead 11-8 and force a Crusaders timeout.

After the stoppage, the Crusaders won three of the next four points to pull within one at 12-11, but Limestone won the next two to set up match point. Belmont Abbey staved off the first match point on a Saints error, but Limestone won the next point to seal the five set victory.

Nolan Albrecht's 20 kills led all players as he hit .250 for the match. Anthony Pippen added 13. Derek Sullivan handed out 40 assists.

Limestone outdug the Crusaders 48-36. Brennan Beyner led the Crusaders with seven, while Albrecht and Robert Valentine adding six each.