DUE WEST, SC - The Erskine Men's Volleyball, led by Roberto Perez's game high 20 kills, had little trouble beating the Tornado of King University, 3-1, to advance to the Conference Carolinas Semifinals.

In the first set, the Fleet took a 20-16 lead on three straight blocks.  Omar Melendez was involved in all 3 blocks while David Grandy gathered 2 block assists.  After a King timeout, the Fleet would push the lead to 23-16 capping a 6-0 run with a Mike Michelau kill.  They would win the set 25-17 to take a 1-0 advantage.  Neal Stanley and Michelau were very efficient in the attack totaling 5 kills in 7 chances and 5 kills in 6 chances respectively.  Grandy dished out 12 assists and the Fleet hit .522 as a unit in the first set.  

In the 2nd set, the Fleet held a 16-9 lead after an ace and kill by Michelau.  The Tornado would storm back after a timeout to cut the Erskine led to 19-18, but Perez and Michelau would power the Fleet to a 25-20 2nd set win.  Perez led all players with 7 kills in the set while Grandy collected 13 assists.   

The 3rd set saw several lead changes and ties before King would make a late run to take a 24-21 lead.  They would hold on to win the set 25-23 to pull to within 2-1.  The Tornado hit their game high .393 in the set.   For the Fleet, Perez once again led all players with 8 kills while Grandy pitched in another 13 assists.  

In the 4th set, the two teams traded points for the majority of the set.  The score was tied 10-10 before a big King block gave the Tornado the lead and forced Coach Vahjen to call an Erskine timeout.  The teams would once again trade points and be tied at 13-13 and 18-18 before an Erskine block by Michelau and Nate Camnitz gave the Fleet a 20-18 lead. A Michelau kill would give the Fleet a 23-19 edge and a King service error would give the Fleet the set, 25-21, and the match, 3-1.  The Fleet used a balanced attack in the 4th set with Michelau leading the way with 6 kills and Camnitz pitching in 4 kills in only 5 chances.  Grandy once again gathered 15 assists in the set.  

For the match, the Fleet hit a .323.  Perez tied his season high with 20 kills.  Michelau had 18 kills and Stanley registered a double-double with 11 kills and 11 digs.  Camnitz also pitched in a solid 8 kills in only 13 attempts for a .615 hitting percentage.  Grandy just missed setting his season high in assists with 53.  The Fleet will now host the remainder of the tournament with the Conference Carolinas Semifinals and Finals held Friday and Saturday evening in Belk Arena.  The Fleet will take on the winner of Belmont Abbey and Mount Olive in the Semifinals Friday at 7:30 pm.