BEREA, Ky. – The King University men's volleyball team started their spring break with a win over Belmont Abbey College in Berea, Kentucky. The Tornado outlasted the Crusaders in five sets behind a pair of double-doubles and 29 kills from Jeff Sprayberry. King then dropped a nonconference affair to Graceland University in three sets.

THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: King 3, Belmont Abbey 2 (25-23, 23-25, 31-29, 21-25, 15-13); Graceland 3, King 0 (25-17, 25-13, 25-15)
LOCATION: Seabury Center Arena; Berea, Ky.
RECORDS: King 5-14, 2-10 Conference Carolinas; Belmont Abbe 9-6, 6-5 Conference Carolinas; Graceland 17-2

HOW IT HAPPENED – BELMONT ABBEY

• Matthew Lychock started the scoring with back-to-back kills that put King up 2-0. The Tornado added another point, taking a quick 3-0 lead.
• From that point on, King held the upper hand throughout the first set, opening up a 17-13 behind a pair of kills from Sean Luhmann and Nick Drooker.
• Belmont Abbey scored three straight points to get back within one, and later took a 20-19 lead, but the Tornado responded with three straight points.
• Jeff Sprayberry gave King the 25-23 with his third kill of the opening set.
• The second set was just as tight, but the Crusaders had the upper hand through this time.
• The Crusaders opened up a three-point advantage twice, and eventually took the set 25-23.
• In the third set, King opened up a 13-10 lead behind kills from Luhmann and Sprayberry, but the Crusaders came back.
• Belmont Abbey evened the score and later took a 22-19 lead before King went on a run.
• King scored five of the next six points to take a 24-23 lead before the teams traded points.
• Every time got a chance at set point, Belmont Abbey answered to extend the set.
• The tally was even at 29-29 before Sprayberry gave King another chance at set point. The Tornado were able to convert, taking the set 31-29 to take a 2-1 lead.
• The Tornado used a 5-0 in the fourth set to take a 9-8 lead and later scored five straight again, taking an 18-16 lead.
• The score was even at 20-20, but the Crusaders score five of the final six points to take the set 25-21.
• Belmont Abbey had the advantage early in the fifth set, taking a 7-4 lead as they looked to hold the advantage.
• However, King evened the score at 11 as the teams traded points as the score was tied for the final time at 13-13 following a Jon Wheaton kill.
• Nick Drooker followed with a kill, and Wheaton and Adrian Besson teamed up for a block, giving King the 15-13 win to take the match 3-2.
• Sprayberry led King with 29 kills, matching his career-high.
• Drooker and Luhmann both posted double-doubles. Drooker handed out 53 assists and registered 14 digs while Luhmann had 11 kills and 11 digs.
• Wheaton added 10 kills while Jimmy Nuckolls posted 16 digs.

FOR THE FOES

• Nolan Albrecth posted a double-double with 33 kills and 18 digs.
• Derek Sullivan also had a double-double, dishing out 66 assists and recording 10 digs.
• Justin Snyder added 15 kills and Brennan Snyder chipped in with 12.
• Robert Valentin recorded 17 digs and Gavin Schaffer added 14.

HOW IT HAPPENED - GRACELAND

• The nightcap was a bit different as Graceland jumped ahead 6-1 in the first set.
• The Yellowjackets didn't slow down, opening up an 18-10 as they took the opening frame 25-17.
• In the second set, Graceland used a 6-2 lead to gain a 12-7 lead, before they scored five straight points to take a 17-8 lead em route to the 25-13 victory.
• The Yellowjackets broke a 4-4 tie with a 4-0 run in the third set and opening up a 16-7 lead behind a 6-0 run as Graceland took the 3-0 with a 25-15 win in the third set.
• Sprayberry led King with six kills while Dalton Johnson followed with four.
• Chandler Christy handed out 12 assists and Chandler Wellmann added 10 digs.

FOR THE FOES

• Danny Ly led Graceland with nine kills while Herb Thomas followed with eight kills and 10 digs.
• Silila Tucker handed out 23 assists to go along with seven digs.
• D.J. Wong added 12 digs.

UP NEXT

• King will be in action again on Tuesday in Berea, Ky., where they will face Alderson Broaddus University at 11:30 a.m. and Quincy University at 3:30 p.m.