WILSON, N.C. -- After playing just one non-conference match in the last 13 days, Belmont Abbey returned to Conference Carolinas play Friday night and earned a 3-1 (25-15, 25-29, 23-25, 25-17) victory over Barton in a matchup of two teams near the top of the league standings.

With the win, the Crusaders improve to 10-7 overall and 8-1 in league play, while the Bulldogs fall to 10-9, 5-2.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Matthew Staskunas and Caden Day each tallied 13 kills, hitting .344 and .200, respectively.
• Jibriel Elhaddad hit .381 with 11 kills, while adding four blocks.
• Joseph Morris dished out 43 assists, while hitting .857 (6k-0e-7a) and making a season-high 10 digs. It was his fourth career double-double, but first this year.
• Belmont Abbey served four aces, including two each by Morris and Ryan Charles.
• Charles was the team's digs leader with 12.

UP NEXT

• Belmont Abbey faces another tough challenge on its weekend trip to the eastern part of the state.
• The Crusaders face league leader Mount Olive on Saturday, looking to avenge its only conference loss -- 3-0 to the Trojans on Feb. 14.