Box Score NASHVILLE, Tenn.— Belmont volleyball (4-10) fell in three set to No.24 Western Kentucky, 21-25, 7-25, 24-26, Tuesday evening in the Curb Event Center during the team's annual Dig for a Cure match.
"Overall we played two good sets," said head coach Deane Webb. "We played with a high amount of intensity and passion in sets one and three. In set two, we played scared and went through the motions and unfortunately the score reflected that."
In the opening set, Western Kentucky took an early 3-1 lead before the Bruins responded with three unanswered points taking a 4-3 lead. The Lady Toppers silenced Belmont, regaining the lead, 6-4.
Western Kentucky continued to extend their lead under a block from sophomore Alex Martin (Ooltewah, Tenn.) and junior Jen Myer (New Braunfels, Texas) tied the set at 12. An attack error, allowed Belmont to take a 13-12 lead.
The Lady Toppers took a two-point lead, 18-16, before the Bruins tied the score at 18 behind a kill from sophomore Scarlet Gable (Munford, Tenn.). The set saw two more ties, before Western Kentucky closed out the set, 25-21.
Martin led Belmont with seven kills in the first set.
Belmont got on the board first in the second set, but WKU scored three unanswered points before going on a 10-0 run to take a 14-3 lead. A kill from Gable silenced the Lady Toppers.
Western Kentucky took a 2-0 lead into the break with a 25-7 second set win.
After the break, Belmont and WKU gave the crowd a third-set thriller.
The Bruins jumped out to an early lead before WKU closed the gap and took a three-point lead. Kills from Gable and freshman Jocelyn Youngdahl (Stillwater, Minn.) kept the Bruins within one.
The Lady Toppers extended their lead to four points, with Belmont continuing to battle back. Martin sparked a 3-0 run and a kill from Youngdahl put the Bruins within one, 19-18.
Martin and Youngdahl scored consecutive points to tie the set at 21. Belmont overcame a three point deficit to tie the score at 24, but it wasn't enough to hold off the Lady Toppers, as WKU took the third set, 26-24.
"Western Kentucky is a great opponent. I have the utmost respect for their program. Obviously they're 24th in the country and beating some of the top 25 teams last week, we knew they'd be great coming in," said coach Webb.
Martin led the squad with 14 kills and Youngdahl added seven. Junior setter Hannah Miranda dished out 28 assists, while junior libero paced the defense with 18 digs. Myer added 13.
"I thought our defense was great. We out blocked and out dug them in sets one and three," said coach Webb. "I think in set two, we lowered our mental focus and lost track of blocking assignments and they just got on a role. And a team like that you let them get out to a big lead, it's tough to catch up."
Belmont will be back on the road this weekend as the team begins conference play in the OVC. The Bruins will face the reigning OVC champions, Morehead State Friday evening at 6 p.m.
