BLUEFIELD, Va. — The Carolina University Men's Volleyball team opened Appalachian Athletic Conference play on Tuesday evening, traveling to Bluefield University for their first league contest of the 2026 season. The Bruins, led by Head Coach Jake Boldog, entered the match with a 1-1 record in the early portion of the campaign.

Bluefield controlled the tempo throughout the night, earning the conference victory in straight sets (25-8, 25-14, 25-15) inside The Dome.

Carolina was paced offensively by Sam Gruver and Logan Hall, who each recorded four kills, while Fritz Hall added three kills on efficient swings. Setter Kai Jamerson dished out 14 assists in directing the Bruins' offense. Defensively, Carolina tallied 24 digs as a team, with multiple players contributing to the back-row effort.

Despite the result, the match marked an important early-season test for a young Bruins squad competing in its first conference matchup of the year.

Coach's Quote — Jake Boldog:

"Conference matches always bring a different level of intensity, and tonight was a learning experience for our group. We're still a young team finding our rhythm, but I'm confident in the growth we'll continue to make as the season progresses. Our focus now is responding, improving in training, and being ready for the next AAC opportunity."

Carolina University will look to bounce back as they continue Appalachian Athletic Conference play, as they travel to Truett McConnell this weekend and participate in AAC Pod.