WILSON, N.C. -- Belmont Abbey won the first two sets against Barton, but had to fight off a Bulldog rally for a tough 3-2 (25-21, 25-15, 22-25, 18-25, 15-7) victory in Conference Carolinas men's volleyball action on Saturday.

With its third straight win -- and seventh in the last nine outings -- the Crusaders improve to 12-4 overall and 7-1 in league play. Barton falls to 8-10, 3-4.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Zach Puentes hit .343 with a team-high 15 kills against three errors in 35 attemps. He added four digs and a block assist.
• Caden Day also reached double figures in kills with 12, while chipping in three assists and five block assists.
• Jibriel Elhaddad registered nine blocks (one solo) with eight kills and a .467 hitting percentage.
• Joseph Morris dished out 38 assists and had six blocks with six kills. He also ranked second on the team in digs with eight, two behind Alejandro Leon.
• Carson Pearce served The Abbey's only ace.

UP NEXT

• Belmont Abbey returns to the Wheeler Center on Wednesday to face Emmanuel.
• The contest is the lone home event in a span of six matches.