BELMONT, N.C. -- Belmont Abbey won for the seventh time in eight games -- and improved to 12-3 overall -- Friday night with a hard-fought 3-1 (25-20, 20-25, 25-23, 25-21) victory over Tusculum in men's collegiate volleyball action at the Wheeler Center.

Joseph Morris posted his third double-double of the season while Matthew Staskunas and Zach Puentes reached double figures in kills

The Pioneers fell to 4-15 overall.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Morris, named Conference Carolinas Freshman of the Month earlier in the day, tallied 36 assists and a career-high 15 digs. He also registered six blocks and five kills.
• Staskunas hit .300 with 18 kills against six errors in 40 attempts, while adding five digs, while Puentes added 12 kills.
• Ryan Charles, making just his fifth start of the season, hit .583 on seven kills and no errors in 12 chances.
• Alejandro Leon reached double figures in digs with 10 and had six assists, while Jibriel Elhaddad was massive in the middle with eight blocks and six kills.
• The Crusaders hit .226 as a team.

UP NEXT

• Belmont Abbey returns to action tomorrow, hosting Charleston in non-conference action.
• The Golden Eagles fell to North Greenville in a neutral-site match earlier in the day at the Wheeler Center.