WSC-EMU WSC-LMC WSC-MOC
MOUNT OLIVE, N.C. – The Flying Royals bounced back from there 0-4 showing at last week’s Homewood Suites Invitational to notch a 2-1 record at the 2008 Mount Olive College’s Men’s Volleyball Tournament held at the Kornegay Arena against NCAA competition. The Royals defeated NCAA D-III Eastern Mennonite University (Va.) on Friday (Feb. 29) 3-0 (31-29, 30-23, 30-25), lost to NCAA D-II Lees-McRae College (N.C.) 3-1(29-31, 22-30, 32-30, 24-30) in the first game on Saturday (March 1) and wrapped up the tournament by defeating tournament host NCAA D-II Mount Olive College (N.C.) 3-1 (30-22, 30-27, 30-32, 30-24). Junior outside hitter Shedrick Forbes was named Most Valuable Player of the five-team tournament, and setter Sergio Rios was also named to the All-Tournament Team.
In the Royals first match of the tournament Matt Gizzi led Warner Southern with 15 kills, while Joshua Kornegay added 10 kills and three aces. Rios recorded 43 assists, two aces and two blocks. Nick Brutus led the Royals defensively with 16 digs.
Gizzi paced the Royals again with 18 kills, nine digs and two aces. Forbes added 17 kills and Kornegay finished with 10. Rios tallied 41 assists and four blocks, while Brutus recorded 12 digs in the loss.
The Royals bounced back in the final match of the tournament with Gizzi sharing match-high honors with 23 kills, eight digs and five blocks, while Forbes finished with 17 kills and Ryan Brookins added 11. Rios recorded a tournament-high 64 assists to go with 10 digs and Tyler Wesson added nine blocks to earn the victory.
The Royals now sit at 5-6 and travel to Orlando, Fla. for exhibition play in the University of Central Florida Tournament on March 8-9.