Bristol, Tenn.—Samantha Del Toro pounded out a game high 16 kills, and Abigail Frame posted a double-double with 33 assists and 14 digs, but the King College Tornado proved to strong for the Crusaders as they downed NGU 3-0 Tuesday night in Bristol.

Rebekah Mayes also picked up a double double for the Crusaders with 10 kills and 10 digs on defense while Taylor Dupes collected 8 digs. Del Toro also had a strong night at the net with 3 block assists and a solo block.

The Tornado set one of the night was closely contested. King led for most the opening frame, but the Crusaders never trailed by more than 3 points. King led 18-15 deep into the set, but the resilient Crusaders battled to tie the game at 20. The score would be tied once more at 22, before an NGU attack error led to a 23-22 lead for King. A kill from Mariah Herrington made it 24-22. NGU staved off defeat twice in the next stanza, but King put the game away in the next attempt to take a 1-0 lead.

The Crusaders trailed by as man as 6 in the second set. NGU committed eight attack errors in frame 2, to complicate the comeback attempt. But the Crusaders kept pushing back, and tied the game at 21 with a 6-0 run. Samantah Del Toro collected a Kill while 5 King Attack errors aided the Crusaders in their comeback. King would score the next 3 points on two kills and an NGU attack error. Mariah Harrington and Jordan Baty’s kills gave the king a 24-21 lead. The Crusaders refused to go away however as Samantha Del Toro responded with a kill of her own to make the score 24-22, in favor of the Tornado. The game would end on the ensuing NGU serve however as Del Toro netted her service attempt.

The Tornado carried their momentum into game 3, as they quickly jumped out to a 15-10 lead. The six point advantage would be all the Tornado needed in set three as they cruised to a 25-18 win, extending their match win streak to eight games. The Crusaders will be back in action on September 28^th, when they travel to North Carolina for a 7pm showdown with Belmont Abbey.