BRISTOL, Tenn. — King University returned home to the Student Center Complex on Tuesday night but was unable to slow down a sharp Tusculum squad, falling 3–0 (25–15, 25–20, 25–22). The Tornado showed steady improvement as the match progressed, pushing the Pioneers deep into the second and third sets, but Tusculum's efficiency at the net proved to be the difference.
The loss moves King to 1–3 on the season, while Tusculum improves to 5–1.
Tusculum Controls the Opening Set
The Pioneers came out firing in Set One, hitting .318 as a team while limiting King to just seven kills. Tusculum's offense was led early by Reef Mathis and Morgan Makovec, who combined for 10 kills in the opening frame.
King struggled to find rhythm offensively, and Tusculum capitalized on transition opportunities to take the set 25–15.
Tornado Respond in Set Two
King settled in during the second set, trading points with the Pioneers through the midway mark.
Colton Bueter and
Dalton Claiborne provided a spark, combining for eight kills in the frame, while setter Joao Pedro Ribeiro distributed the offense with 26 assists on the night.
Despite the improved play, Tusculum's balance at the net — including timely swings from Aiden Roper and Caleb Hammann — helped the visitors pull away late for a 25–20 win.
King Pushes Tusculum to the Wire in Set Three
The Tornado delivered their strongest set in the third, hitting .172 and keeping the score tight throughout.
Alessandro Fermani came off the bench with energy, posting seven kills on .267 hitting, while
Kellen Woolm added five kills without an error.
King tied the set eight times and forced three lead changes, but Tusculum's efficiency in the final points — highlighted by Mathis' match-high nine kills — sealed the sweep with a 25–22 finish.
Tusculum's Balanced Attack Leads the Way
The Pioneers hit .259 as a team and showcased depth across the lineup:
- Reef Mathis: 9 kills, .280 hitting, 10 points
- Aiden Roper: 7 kills, 3 blocks
- Morgan Makovec: 6 kills on .750 hitting
- Riley Wisniakowski: 26 assists, 6 digs, 2 aces
Tusculum also out-blocked King 19–8 and recorded 30 digs to keep the Tornado offense in check.
Tornado Leaders
Despite the loss, several King players turned in strong performances:
King finished the night with 30 kills, 30 digs, and three total blocks.
Up Next
King returns to action next week when the Tornado host Warren Wilson on Wednesday, Feb. 11 at 7:00 p.m. inside the Student Center Complex. The matchup gives King an opportunity to bounce back on its home floor and build momentum as the early portion of the 2026 season continues.
