Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2 WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind.- - Belmont started out the Active Ankle
Challenge on a high note, sweeping Connecticut in straight sets,
3-0. In the second match of the day, the Bruins fell in five sets
to Duquesne, 2-3.
Against Connecticut, Belmont got 10 kills from senior Kayla
Albritton (Gainesville, Fla.) and 11 from junior Maggie
Johnson (Naperville, Ill.). Johnson also tied fellow senior Megan
Clements for team-high honors with nine digs. In addition to
her 10 kills, Albritton added four service aces to lead the Bruins,
who posted 10 total aces in the match, and three Bruins recorded
multiple aces.
"It was good to start the tournament with a sweep over UConn,"
said Head Coach Deane Webb. "They are a team with a great deal
of size at the net, getting the win in three and out-blocking them
was impressive. We struggled offensively throughout the
match, but our blocking and serving were good enough to earn the
win."
The meeting with Connecticut was the first between the two
programs and the second this season between Belmont and a team from
the Big East. Last weekend, the Bruins fell in five sets to Notre
Dame in the Nevada Invitational. All-time, Belmont is now 4-4
against the Big East Conference. Webb has traditionally built a
tough non-conference schedule to help prepare his teams for
Atlantic Sun play. 2010 has been no exception and a win over a Big
East team should help the Bruins down the road.
"Getting a win versus UConn the week after nearly beating Notre
Dame is good for our program and our conference," Webb
said. "It is good to see our conference find success against
conferences considered stronger than the A-Sun."
Belmont jumped out to a two sets to none lead against Duquesne,
taking set one and set two 25-18 each. In an extended set three,
the Bruins fell to the Dukes, 31-33 and Duquesne seized the
momentum going into set four and took the set 17-25. Belmont held a
six point lead early in the final set and continued to maintain the
lead until 13-8 when Duquesne took a timeout. The Bruins dropped
six straight points and the Dukes tied the set at 14. The comeback
was too much for Belmont and the Bruins ultimately dropped the
final set, 17-15.
"The first two games were two of the better games we've played
all year," Webb said. "Attacking at over .320 against a good
Duquesne team was outstanding start to the match. However, at
some point in game three, we lost our rhythm both offensively and
defensively. That continued in game four, particularly
defensively. We started game five very well, getting out to a
10-4 start. Generally a 10-4 lead in a rally score game to 15
is going to be a win. However, give credit to Duquesne, as
they raised their intensity in their back row defense, and we
weren't able to match that intensity."
Albritton again led the Bruins with 21 kills and a .359 hitting
percentage to go along with a team-high four aces. Johnson added 17
kills. Junior setter Channing
Salava (Clearwater, Fla.), led Belmont with 50 assists and
added three aces. Senior Tara Blood
recorded six blocks against Duquesne, adding to her four blocks
against Connecticut, to lead the Bruins. Belmont also got solid
performances from senior libero Megan Clements (Indianapolis, Ind.)
and from freshman middle hitter Allison
McCoy (Huntington Beach, Calif.), who has come on strong in the
past few matches.
"Megan, Allison and Kayla played well this evening," Webb said.
"Megan had a great night in serve receive, Allison was balanced in
her attack and block, and Kayla had an impressive stat line in all
areas."
The match-up with Duquesne was also the first between the two
schools and was also the first meeting between Belmont and a school
from the Atlantic 10 Conference. The Bruins have played in five
five-set matches so far this season and are 1-4 in the extended
matches. The five set match against the Dukes was the second this
week for Belmont, who fell 2-3 to Chattanooga on Tuesday. The
Bruins take on the host Purdue Boilermakers in the final match of
the Active Ankle Challenge Saturday at 6 p.m.
Post Match Quotes
