ANDERSON, S.C. – Behind a career-high 20 kills from sophomore Rylie Sargent and double-digit kills from Noelle Knutsen and Sadie Kluner, the third-seeded Anderson University volleyball team opened their 12th appearance in the South Atlantic Conference Tournament by outpacing No. 6 seed Queens, 3-1 (25-13, 19-25, 25-15, 25-22) Tuesday night at the Abney Athletic Center.

"What a great atmosphere for some playoff volleyball in the Abney Center," said Anderson head coach Todd Hay. "The team played pretty well and fed off the energy of the crowd when we got a little down. Rylie came off the bench and had an incredible night which shows the depth of our team. Thank you to everyone who came out and supported the Trojans!"

Anderson (21-6) won its ninth straight match and advances to meet second-seeded Wingate in the tourney semifinals, Friday night. Queens slipped to 16-13 on the season. The Royals were ranked in the initial NCAA Southeast Region rankings two weeks ago, but will have to wait until Monday to learn their postseason fate.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Sargent posted her career-night on the strength of a .366 hitting percentage, with Knutsen adding 11 kills behind a .320 hitting accuracy. The Parker, Colo., native also notched four block assists. Sophomore Sadie Kluner tallied 10 kills and a block assist, while classmate Jaelyn Grimm chipped in eight kills and a pair of block assists.

Junior setter Madison Roy equaled her career-high with 53 assists and recorded her ninth double-double of the campaign with 14 digs, while adding two block assists. junior Lindsay McCurley came up with a match-best 23 digs, with freshman Hannah Neff and senior Meghan DeVaux each adding 13 digs apiece. Alexandra Petrilli recorded 11 digs and a match-best three service aces.

HOW IT HAPPENED
First Set
Sophomore Tabitha Wheeler notched five kills in the opening set, while Knutsen added a pair of blocks and the Trojans held Queens to a -.047 hitting percentage.

AU committed four attack errors in the opening moments, allowing Queens to gain a quick, 6-1, advantage. But the Trojans remained steady, then used a massive 17-3 scoring outburst to take control of the set.

After doubling up the Royals, at 18-9, AU pushed out to a double-figure 23-13 cushion and claimed the set when Wheeler followed a block by Roy and Knutsen.

Second Set
Sargent knocked down an impressive eight kills, but the Trojans were unable to hold off the Royals, who hit .314 in the second frame.

Queens, which never trailed, surged out to a 10-5 lead and withstood each comeback attempt by the Trojans. AU cut the deficit to just two on four occasions – the final time at 15-13 – before the Royals countered by pushing out to a late seven-point advantage (23-16). The Trojans held off set point twice before Queens took the set on a kill from Kayla McDuffie.

Third Set
The Trojans bounced back with a .378 attacking accuracy, with Knutsen and Learmonth combining for eight kills and three blocks.

AU gained the upper hand early with a 12-4 lead and held at least a four-point edge the rest of the way, before taking the double-digit win.

Fourth Set
Sargent finished strong with seven kills, while Knutsen and Learmonth each added four more kills apiece.

Behind a workmanlike effort, the Trojans built a 13-6 advantage and still led, 20-14, before Queens, which was facing elimination from the postseason, used a quick 3-1 run to climb within 21-17. Grimm slowed the Royals with a kill and AU capitalized on an error to claim a 23-17 lead, before Queens scored two quick points to momentarily quiet the crowd.

AU then reached match point on a service error and two Royals points later, Kluner sealed the win with her 10th kill of the night.

NOTABLES
• AU has won 13 of its last 14 contests.
• The Trojans have won three straight over Queens.
• The Trojans are 30-15 versus Queens over the past 20 seasons and have won 27 of the last 35 meetings, including seven of the last 12 matchups.
• Anderson has earned a spot in the tourney semifinals in five straight seasons (2017, 2018, 2019, Spring 2021 and 2021).
• The Trojans have reached the 20+ win plateau for the fourth straight season and fifth time in seven years (excluding the Spring '20 COVID-19 shortened season)
• The Trojans' streak of eight consecutive sweeps came to an end – the last time AU went four sets was exactly one month ago – Oct. 16 in a home loss to Carson-Newman.
• Madison Roy notched her ninth double-double of the season.

UP NEXT
The No. 3 seeded Trojans will square off against second-seeded Wingate in the championship semifinals, Friday night. First-serve is slated for 6:30 p.m. at the Rock Hill Sports & Event Center.

2021 SAC TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
Tuesday, Nov. 16 (at highest seeds)
Game 1: #1 Tusculum 3, #8 Catawba 0
Game 2: #4 Lenoir-Rhyne 3, #5 Carson-Newman 1
Game 3: #2 Wingate 3, #7 Mars Hill 2
Game 4: #3 Anderson 3 vs. #6 Queens 1

Friday, Nov. 19 (Rock Hill Sports & Event Center)
Game 5: #1 Tusculum vs. #4 Lenoir-Rhyne, 4:00 p.m.
Game 6: #2 Wingate vs. #3 Anderson, 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 20 (Rock Hill Sports & Event Center)
Game 7: winner game 5 vs. winner game 6, 2:00 p.m.

SAC TOURNAMENT INDIVIDUAL DAILY TICKETS:
Semifinals: (Friday, Nov. 19; Rock Hill, S.C.) Adult - $ 10.00; Youth (12 and under)/Senior (60+) Active or Retired Military - $6.00; College Students with college ID - $ 2.00
Finals: Adult - (Saturday, Nov. 20; Rock Hill, S.C.) $ 8.00; Youth (12 and under)/Senior (60+) Active or Retired Military - $5.00; College Students with college ID - $ 2.00

Online Ticket Information – Semifinals & Finals

CLICK HERE TO FOLLOW THE 2021 SAC VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIP