ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. -- Belmont Abbey opened its 2024 men's volleyball season Friday with a pair of wins at the Battle 4 the Boardwalk. The Crusaders defeated Fairleigh Dickinson 3-2 (25-13, 30-28, 23-25, 19-25, 15-12) in the opener, then swept St. Thomas Aquinas 3-0 (25-20, 25-20, 25-12) later in the day.


THE OPENER

• Three Crusaders recorded double digits in kills -- Matthew Staskunas (16), Jibriel Elhaddad (11) and Zach Puentes (11). For Elhaddad and Puentes, the numbers were career-highs.
• Staskunas added a pair of service aces and seven digs.
• Freshman setter Joseph Morris ran the offensive to the tune of 38 assists. He also tallied seven digs and two aces.
• Puentes and Alex Winiarczyk led the defensive effort with eight digs each.
• The Abbey served nine aces in total, led by Alex Winiarczyk with three.
• Belmont Abbey hit .297 as a team (52k-17e-118a), while holding the Knights to .215 (55k-27e-130a).
• The Crusaders started the match strong with a .562 hitting percentage (10k-1e-16a) in the opening set.

THE NIGHTCAP

• Staskunas and Puentas each had 10 kills to lead the Crusaders.
• Puentas added a team-best seven digs and had two aces.
• Jack Walsh took over setting duties, registering 27 assists. He also had three aces, five digs and four blocks.
• Belmont Abbey hit .216 as a team

UP NEXT

• Belmont Abbey wraps up play at the Battle 4 the Boardwalk on Saturday.
• The Crusaders face Sacred Heart at 12 noon.