Franklin Springs, Ga. – The King University men's volleyball team returned to Conference Carolinas play on Friday evening, falling 3–0 to Emmanuel College inside the Shaw Athletic Center. The Tornado (4–14, 0–8 Conference Carolinas) battled throughout the match but were unable to slow down an efficient Lions offense, dropping sets 25–23, 25–16, 25–16.
Emmanuel (8–10, 3–4 Conference Carolinas) hit .330 as a team and produced 40 kills while holding King to a .081 hitting percentage. Despite the setback, the Tornado saw strong individual performances from several attackers.
Set One: Tornado Battle to the Wire
King opened the match with its strongest set of the night, hitting .179 behind 10 kills. Carson Pliapol and Kellen Woolm sparked the offense early, while the Tornado defense kept the frame tight with multiple key digs. Emmanuel, however, used a late push to edge out a 25–23 win.
Set Two: Lions Create Separation
Emmanuel's block and serve pressure took control in the second set. The Lions held King to just 11 kills while forcing 10 attack errors, pulling away for a 25–16 victory. Alessandro Fermani and Dalton Claiborne added kills for the Tornado, but Emmanuel's efficiency at the net proved difficult to overcome.
Set Three: Emmanuel Closes Out the Match
The Lions continued their momentum in the third, hitting .353 with 14 kills. King received offensive contributions from Pliapol, Woolm, and Colton Bueter, but Emmanuel maintained control throughout the frame to secure a 25–16 clincher.
Statistical Leaders – King University
Offense
Setting
- Joao Pedro Ribeiro: 26 assists, 8 digs, 2 aces
Defense
King finished with 30 kills and 34 digs, while Emmanuel posted 40 kills, 35 digs, and 10 service aces.
Up Next
The Tornado continue their road stretch on Saturday, March 21, traveling to Due West, S.C., for a 2 p.m. matchup against Erskine College.
