BELMONT, N.C. -- Matteo Miselli tallied 16 kills and Brennan Davis came within one dig of a double-double, but Belmont Abbey dropped a close 3-0 (27-25, 27-25, 25-19) decision to Mount Olive in Conference Carolinas men's volleyball action at the Wheeler Center.

The loss was the first of the season for the Crusaders (5-1, 2-1), while Mount Olive improves to 5-0, 4-0.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Belmont Abbey tallied 44 kills overall to just 40 for Mount Olive, but the Trojans held a .341-.176 advantage in hitting percentage.
• Davis registered 37 assist and nine digs.
• In the opening set, the Crusaders trailed 23-21, but forced ties at 23, 24 and 25. However, UMO grabbed the next two points for the win.
• In the second set, the Trojans broke a 21-21 tie with three consecutive points, but The Abbey rallied with four in a row and lead 25-24. However, the momentum swung again for another 27-25 decision.
• UMO never trailed in the third, opening six-point margins three times. Belmont Abbey used a 5-1 run to trim a 16-10 deficit to 17-15, but the Trojans answered and later scored three in a row at 22-19 for the victory.

UP NEXT

• Belmont Abbey returns to action quickly, hosting Barton tomorrow afternoon.
• The match starts at 2:30.