Due West, S.C. – The Erskine Men's Volleyball Team (2-2, 2-0) hosts their home opener Saturday afternoon against conference foe the Crusaders of Belmont Abbey College (1-4, 1-1).  Game time is set for 2:00 p.m.

The Flying Fleet are off to a solid start in just their second year of competition.  Erskine opened their season against two nationally ranked teams.  Although the Fleet lost both games, the Fleet played well, with almost every set being decided by just five points or less.  Last weekend the Fleet swept two conference opponents in Barton College and the University of Mount Olive.  UMO was picked in the conference coaches preseason poll to win the regular season title.

Sophomores Mike Michelau (Trevor, WI, Westosha Central High School) and Mike Kawa (Debica, Poland, Elk Grove High School) currently lead the team in kills per set at 4.21 and 4.07 respectively while setter Corey Marks (Southwest Ranches, FL, Archbishop Edward McCarthy High School) leads the conference in assists, averaging 11.6 assists per set.

Belmont Abbey's last two matches were postponed due to snow.  Tomorrow's game will be the first game since January 21^st when the Crusaders split with Barton and Emmanuel.  The Crusaders defeated Barton 3-0 for their first win of the season then lost to Emmanuel College 3-1.

Brennan Beyner leads the Crusaders offensively averaging 2.29 kills per set.  On the back row, Johnny Gomez leads the Crusaders averaging 3.17 digs per set, third best in the conference.

Saturday's contest may be watched live on the web at:  http://www.ustream.tv/channel/erskine-college-athletics or followed via live stats at:  http://www.sidearmstats.com/erskine/mvball/