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March 28, 2024 7:28 am

Treser sets NCAA record, UMO falls short at King

BRISTOL, Tenn. – Senior libero Trevor Treser set a new NCAA record on April 18 after producing 32 digs in a five-set match, as the Trojans fell short in a 3-2 loss at King in the quarterfinals of the Conference Carolinas Championship by scores of 15-25, 23-25, 25-22, 25-21, 15-13.

With the loss, the University of Mount Olive men’s volleyball team concluded the season with an 11-17 overall record under first-year head coach Omar Sanchez. The Trojans finished league play strong after winning five of their last seven matches. Meanwhile, King improved to 14-15 this year.

Treser led the defensive effort with his NCAA record 32 digs in a five-set match with the previous mark being set last season by Nicola Iannelli of St. Francis-Brooklyn on Mar. 26, 2022, with 31 digs. His performance also set a new program record in a single match while becoming just the second player in school history to eclipse 700 career digs. Treser finishes second all-time at UMO in career (703) and single-season (298) digs.

Sophomore Tate Sandvig registered a team-leading 18 kills with seven digs, while junior Hayden Frear finished with 15 kills, six blocks (two solo), and seven digs. Junior Justin Gregory also reached double-digit kills with 14, adding two service aces, two blocks and five digs. Freshman Jackson Lahey directed the offense with his seventh assist/dig double-double of the season after collecting 50 assists and 10 digs in the loss on Tuesday.

The Trojans also tallied 11 total blocks with Frear pacing the team with six while senior Pedro Gonzalez and sophomore Holden Maryott each recorded four.

In the first set, the Trojans built a 12-8 advantage following four unanswered points before King scored two of the next three points to close the gap to 13-10. Mount Olive responded with an 8-0 run, including kills from three different players to hold a 21-10 lead. The Tornado rallied to cut the deficit to 23-15, but UMO sealed the set with a kill from Gregory and a service ace by Frear, 25-15.

King began the second by scoring six of the initial seven points and remained in the lead deep into the set. The Tornado was ahead by an 18-13 margin before the Trojans cut the deficit to 23-19 before flipping the script with six consecutive points to steal the second set, 25-23.

After exchanging points early in the third, King found momentum and took a 12-9 advantage. UMO continued to close the gap late in the set and went on a short 4-1 run to trail 23-21. The Tornado maintained the lead and took the third set by a 25-22 margin.

Following a quick start from King in the fourth set, the Trojans were able to take a 9-7 advantage. The Tornado countered by tallying six of the next nine points to regain the lead 13-12 before later in the set, UMO reclaimed the edge with three-straight points, 16-14. The lead continued to change sides late before a 6-1 run by King claimed the fourth set, 25-21.

In the decisive fifth set, the Tornado stormed ahead with a 9-5 advantage before Mount Olive scored four of the following five points to close the gap to 10-9. King was able to hang on and take the final set, 15-13.

— From University of Mount Olive Athletics