MOUNT OLIVE, N.C. – The Barton men's volleyball team (12-13) saw its season come to an end with a five-set loss to Mount Olive (17-9), 3-2, Tuesday evening at Kornegay Arena in the opening round of the 2024 Conference Carolinas Men's Volleyball Tournament.
The Trojans won over the Bulldogs by scores of 20-25, 25-11, 21-25, 25-17 and 15-9.
Mount Olive is the fourth seed in the league tournament while the Bulldogs were seeded fifth. The Trojans will now move into the semifinals to take on top-seeded Belmont Abbey (19-4) on Friday, April 19, at 5:00 p.m., at the North Charleston Athletic Center in North Charleston, S.C.
The Trojans, which beat the Bulldogs for the third time this year, were led by Justin Gregory (Palm Beach, Fla.) with a match-high 26 kills while Jackson Lahey (Pembroke Pines, Fla.) added a double-double – 54 assists and 13 digs – in the victory.
UMO held a 64-35 edge in kills and were able to overcome 24 errors in the victory.
Barton was led by senior outside hitter
Brandon Johnston (Hawkes Bay, NEW ZEALAND) with 11 kills while junior setter
Seth Deppe (Mukwonago, Wis.) finished with 32 assists and 11 digs in the setback.
