BELMONT, N.C. -- Zach Puentes and Matthew Staskunas each reached double figures in kills and Belmont Abbey hit a season-high .482, lifting the Crusaders to a 3-0 (25-17, 25-20, 25-17) victory over Emmanuel in Conference Carolinas men's volleyball action Saturday afternoon. The hitting percentage was the fourth-highest in a match in program history.

With the win, the Crusaders improve to 3-4 overall, while the Lions fall to 1-9. The match served as the league opener for both teams.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Puentes hit .600 in the contest with a season-high 17 kills against two errors in 25 chances. He also tallied seven digs -- another season high and tied for the team lead in the match.
• Staskunas finished with 10 kills and only one error in 14 tries, a .643 hitting percentage. He served an ace and matched Puentes at seven digs.
• Caden Day added eight kills, while Joseph Morris led the offense with 28 assists.
• Two seniors made significant contributions off the bench. Zach Cramer had 12 assists, while Evan Ford finished with a career-high three kills and no errors on nine attempts. His two digs and service ace also were tops in his career.
• The 51 kills were the most-ever in a three-set match.
• Belmont Abbey finished with four aces and 35 digs as a team.

UP NEXT

• Belmont Abbey continues its four-game homestand, all against conference opponents, on Wednesday.
• The Crusaders welcome King to the Wheeler Center for a 7 p.m. contest.