MOREHEAD, Ky. – Belmont volleyball (17-13, 10-4) snapped a nine-game win streak with a five set loss to Morehead State Saturday, as the Eagles remain undefeated in conference play.
"Morehead State earned the win tonight by playing the big points a little better than we did," said head coach Deane Webb. "Courtney Smith attacked very well, and I believe [Leslie] Schnellhaas was the best player in the gym on either team. Although as a competitor I hate that we lost tonight, if we use it to fuel our improvements the next two weeks, it'll be worth it."
Belmont got on the board first in the opening set and held Morehead State off. The Eagles went on to score three straight point taking an 8-7 lead and Belmont responded with two of their own points, regaining the lead, 9-8. Belmont maintained their lead, but the Eagles once again tied the set at 22-22 until a pair of Eagle attack errors put the Bruins ahead 24-22, and a kill from senior Allison McCoy (Huntington Beach, Calif.) finished the set, 25-23.
Both teams exchanged points throughout the second set. Morehead State took an 18-14 lead before a kill from senior setter Hannah Miranda (Covington, La.) sparked four straight points for the Bruins, tying the set at 18-18. The Eagles responded with a 3-0 run to regain their lead 21-18. A 4-1 run ended the set for Morehead State, 25-20, tying the match at 1-1.
The Bruins struck first after the break, but once again both teams exchanged points. With the set tied at 7-7 a kill from sophomore Jocelyn Youngdahl (Stillwater, Minn.) led Belmont to three points to take a 10-7 lead. Belmont scored three straight points again, tying the set at 20-20 but Morehead State ended the set scoring five unanswered points to win the set, 25-20.
Despite Morehead State scoring the first two points of set four, Belmont scored four straight points to take a 5-3 lead. Belmont extended its lead, 12-5, with four unanswered points behind an ace from senior libero Jamie Lundstrom (La Grange, Ill.). Morehead State answered with a kill, but the Bruins continued to extend their lead. A kill from senior Jen Myer (New Braunfels, Tex.) gave the Bruins the set point, 24-16 and another ace from Lundstrom won the set, 25-16, forcing a fifth and deciding set.
The deciding set remained close early. Morehead State held on to a three-point lead, 11-8 until a serving error and kill from Myer brought the set within one, 11-10. The Eagles responded with three straight points until a kill from McCoy silenced their run, but it wasn't enough to hold off Morehead State as they won the set, 25-11.
McCoy led Belmont with 15 kills and six blocks, while junior Alex Martin (Ooltewah, Tenn.) added 12 kills.
Belmont returns home to the Curb Event Center on Wednesday, November 13 to host crosstown rival, Tennessee State. The match is scheduled for 6:00pm.
