BELMONT, N.C. --- The Tusculum men's volleyball team nearly pulled off the reverse sweep of Belmont Abbey, who is receiving votes in the latest national poll, on Saturday (Feb. 7) night. The Crusaders ended the Pioneers six-match win streak and forced TU into playing its first five-set match of the season.

The Pioneers (6-2) fought back against the Crusaders (3-0) by scores of 23-25, 23-25, 25-23, 25-20, 13-15. This was Belmont Abbey's first match of the season against a team not named Catawba.

Belmont Abbey had two players reach double-digits in kills: Zach Puentes (17) and Caden Day (13). Joseph Morris distributed 52 assists, while Leyton Ritchie landed three service aces. Defensively, Alejandro Leon tallied 11 digs and Ritchie aided in five blocks.

Tusculum's Reef Mathis upped his career-best once again, notching 21 kills on a .400 hitting clip. Morgan Makovec (8) and Cooper Sadleir (7) were next up, while Aiden Roper (4), Caleb Hammann (1) and Riley Wisniakowski (1) rounded out the offense. Wisniakowski added 36 assists as he and Makovec were responsible for the Pioneer aces. Roper scooped up a career-high 14 digs, while Hammann assisted in six blocks. 

Belmont Abbey hit .245 as a team with 68 kills and 31 errors on 151 total attempts. Tusculum hit .193 with 42 kills, 19 errors, and 119 total attacks. The Crusaders led the match in assists (61-41) and service aces (8-2), while the Pioneers tallied more digs (46-43) and blocks (11-9). Additionally, BAC had 33 service errors to TU's 12.

Tusculum plays its first Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (IVA) match of the season on Friday (Feb. 13) at Catawba. First serve from North Carolina is scheduled for 7 p.m.