BELMONT N.C. -- Belmont Abbey dropped the first set, but played some of its best volleyball of the season over the next three, leading to a 3-1 (15-25, 25-22, 25-23, 25-22) upset victory over Converse in Conference Carolinas action Wednesday night. Renata Bolada hit .302 with 17 kills and Emma Youngblood posted a double-double, leading Bowman Abbey to a 3-1
With the win, the Crusaders improve to 11-14 overall and 7-11 in league play while the Valkyries, who had already clinched the Northwest Division and stood second in the conference KPI ratings entering the match, fall to 19-7, 14-4.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Bolado tallied 17 kills against just four errors in 43 attempts, while adding nine digs and a pair of service aces.
- Loal Sultenfuss also reached double figures in kills -- hitting .261 -- while serving three aces and making three blocks.
- Belmont Abbey hit .145 as a team (49k-28e-145a)
- Youngblood registered her 11th double-double of the season with 39 assists and 13 digs.
- Mallory Swain led the defensive effort with 14 digs, while Maya Swenson added 10.
- The Crusaders tallied 12 service aces, one shy of their season high vs. Erskine.
- As a team, The Abbey had 63 digs.
- Converse scored the first seven points of the match -- forcing two Belmont Abbey timeouts -- and won the first set 25-15.
UP NEXT
- Belmont Abbey takes to the road for the final time in the 2025 regular season.
- The Crusaders travel to league-leader Francis Marion on Friday night.
- The match is slated for a 6 p.m. start.
