Box Score JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - - After building a two set lead, Belmont (15-7, 6-1) had a hiccup in set three before ultimately overpowering Jacksonville (10-13, 3-5) in set four to win the match 3-1 behind 11 service aces from sophomore Jen Myer. The 11 aces were the most by any player in four sets since the NCAA changed the scoring format from 30 to 25 points in 2008 and tied for the most aces in any match since the scoring change. The Bruins began to rebound from a poor start following intermission as set three wore on, but ran out of points after mounting a furious comeback, eventually falling 25-22 in set three. The Bruins needed four sets in conference play for the fifth time in seven matches, but as they have done all season, Belmont responded to dropping a set by bouncing back to win the final set in convincing fashion.
"It's nice if you can go out and get a win in three," Head Coach Deane Webb said. "You walk with a different level of confidence after a three set win, but in conference, we'll take the win anyway we can get it. I think tonight was a great example and a learning opportunity for our kids that if you lose just a little focus then the game can go the other way in a hurry. Clearly we came out of the locker room not with the level of focus that we needed to compete. Maybe in the second half of the third game we did, but by then the damage had been done and we didn't have enough time to dig out of the hole that we had dug for ourselves."
Myer, who had previously recorded six aces twice and seven aces once, all top marks for Belmont, turned in 11 today, including six straight in set four to put the set out of reach for Jacksonville. Myer dropped a spot to number two nationally in service aces, but continued to lead the conference this week and her standing will certainly be helped by her performance today. The sophomore from New Braunfels also added 13 kills and hit .241, while turning in 12 digs on the afternoon for another outstanding all-around performance. The 11 aces set new conference marks for aces in a match and aces in a conference match, while the outing ties for 11th nationally for all-time aces in a four set match. Myer also led the team with four block assists and recorded her first career triple double. The Bruins got more offensive help from senior Maggie Johnson, who turned in a team high 18 kills and hit .250. Johnson continues to lead the conference in kills and points. The senior also added seven digs.
"A great overall game by Jen (Myer)," Webb said. "Last night she dug a lot of balls and passed well. Tonight, she dug a lot of balls, passed well, led our team in blocks and had a record in aces and served six in a row. You really can't ask a lot more out of a player than the performance she put on tonight. I'm happy for her and for the experience that she got to have this evening and for the confidence that it will give any player to have that kind of night."
Belmont was led defensively by sophomore libero Jamie Lundstrom her turned in a team high 16 digs. Sophomore setter Hannah Miranda posted 40 assists. Miranda and Lundstrom both lead the conference in their respective categories. The Bruins concluded their Florida road swing with two much needed wins as they try and keep pace with Lipscomb and set up a showdown with the Lady Bisons in the Curb Event Center later this month.
"A big part of that was the serve again," Webb said of his team's defensive effort. "Certainly Jacksonville spent a lot of time running their offense from 10 feet or beyond off the net tonight. That made it easier to defend. I think more important than the number of blocks we got was that we were able to limit Kylie Jacob. She's an outstanding middle and leads the conference in hitting percentage. For us to go through an entire match and her to only get 12 swings, I'm very, very happy with that. Of course, to out-block a good blocking team like Jacksonville, that's a great job by our kids as well."
Although tonight's contest was a road game, Belmont benefitted from playing in front of friendly fans, as the Belmont women's soccer team who are also competing in Jacksonville this weekend, came out to support the Bruins during today's match. The support of their fellow student-athletes and other teams within the athletic department has been a nice addition to the Bruins' season in 2011.
"It is truly one of the things that makes Belmont special," Webb said. "It is not something you see at every school. At Lipscomb, I looked around and there were four or five different teams there where the entire team went to an away match. Tonight, our women's soccer team, they could have just as easily have been hanging out on the beach or enjoying a nice meal together and getting to bed a little earlier, but they chose to spend a couple of hours supporting us. Last night, we had the match at North Florida and we tried to get out and see them, but we missed them by about five minutes after they had completed their game. It's just a great thing and part of the athletic department, the teamwork of the staff and the teams from sport to sport. It's a great thing that our kids get to be a part of."
Belmont returns to Nashville to host Florida Gulf Coast and Stetson in two conference matches next week. The conference weekend is part of a three match home stand for the Bruins.
"It was a great weekend," Webb said. "Two good opponents, two opponents who challenged us. I think out of this weekend, one of the real positives is that Allison connected with Hannah in both matches. That's something we really worked on and wanted to see improve and it did. To get eight kills on 16 swings, that's a good night for Al. We look forward to getting back in the gym and keep improving. We have fall break now, so we'll have a little more time to train early this week and get prepared for some important matches this weekend."
