Box Score BELMONT, NC – The Emmanuel Men's Volleyball team traveled to Belmont, NC to take on the Belmont Abbey Crusaders in Conference Carolinas play. The Lions made things competitive, but the Crusaders took the match in three sets, 25-16, 26-24, 27-25. With the loss, the Lions fall to 1-8 on the season and 0-2 in conference action. 
 
The first set saw the Crusaders jump out to an early 7-3 lead, but the Lions would go on a 4-0 run to tie things at 7-7. The Crusaders would use a few errors by the Lions to their advantage and get back out to a 7-point lead, 18-11. The Crusaders would close out the set on a kill to win it, 25-16. 
 
The second set was a close one, with several ties and lead changes. Emmanuel led early, The Crusaders would lead by as much as four mid-way through the set, but Emmanuel would respond, tying things at 22. The Crusaders would close out the set with two kills, needing an extra point to win it 26-24.
 
 The third set was similar to the second with the teams going point-for-point. Emmanuel would tie things up at 19 on a kill by Aidan Feeney, but the Crusaders would respond with two points in a row. The two teams would tie at 23 and again at 25, before Belmont Abbey closed out the set with a kill, winning 27-25 and taking the match 3-0.
 
Overall, the Lions had 22 kills, 26 assists, 27 digs, 8 blocks and one ace. 
 
Aidan Feeney led the way for Emmanuel with 8 kills, with Eli Zdonek contributing 5 kills and one ace.
 
Santiago Izaguirre had 21 assists on the night and Nicklas Eichenberger added 11 digs. 
 
Greg Bodus had 3.5 blocks in the match. 
 
Next, the Lions will host Fort Valley State University on Tuesday at 5PM. 
 
For more information on Emmanuel University athletics, visit goeulions.com,