FRANKLIN SPRINGS, Ga. -- Belmont Abbey captured its first set of the year, but preseason Conference Carolinas held off the Crusaders 3-1 (25-16, 22-25, 25-15, 25-13) Friday night. The match was the league opener for both teams.

With the result, The Abbey falls to 0-9, 0-1, while the Lions improve to 5-4, 1-0.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Ella Schellenberg and Tyler Case recorded the team's first double-doubles of the season to lead the way. Schellenberg dished out 14 assists and added 10 digs, while Case registered 10 kills and 10 digs.
• Jenna McCullough paced the attack with a season-high 12 kills. She did not have an error in 20 attempts for a .600 hitting percentage.
• Cameron Young topped double figures in kills for the second time in 2023 with 10 kills.
• Lily Marsh, in just her fifth match of the season, tallied 17 digs, the most by a Crusader this year.
• Riley Nickol served three of the team's six aces. Grace McClure (2) and Case had the others.
• Ellie Roberts had two blocks assists. McCullough, Case, McClure and Kristen McSwain also tallied blocks.

UP NEXT

• Belmont Abbey wraps up a 10-match streak away from home to start the season tomorrow.
• The Crusaders face league newcomer Young Harris at 2 p.m. The match takes place in Young Harris, Ga.