HARTSVILLE, S.C. – The Coker College men's volleyball team battled, but eventually fell to Belmont Abbey 3-2 (25-19, 19-25, 26-28, 25-20, 15-8) Friday (Feb. 3) evening.

Coker came out in the first set firing on all cylinders and took a comfortable 25-19 first set victory. Four sets of three point scoring streaks gradually separated the Cobras from the Crusaders. Leading 24-19, Gabriel Castro sealed the set victory with a well-placed kill.

Next, Belmont Abbey responded with victories in the second and third frames of play. Trailing two sets to one, the Navy and Gold evened the match score with a 25-20 fourth set triumph.

The Cobras built their lead early in the fourth set with six consecutive points to give themselves a 7-3 advantage. Two service aces from Aleksa Bijelic, and kills from Stephen Porras and Devion Whetstone highlighted the scoring streak. Coker held their lead for the fourth set victory. However, Belmont Abbey secured the fifth set for the match victory. 

The Cobras will have little time off as they host North Greenville tomorrow (Feb. 4) afternoon in the DeLoach Center. First serve is set for 3 p.m.