NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Belmont volleyball (6-9) defeated Arkansas State in four sets on Saturday afternoon in the Bruin Classic.
In the opening set, Arkansas State came out to take and maintain a lead. The Redwolves were on a 4-0 run before a kill from Alex Martin (Ooltewah, Tenn.) silenced them. Martin came up huge again to silence another ASU run. The Bruins weren't able to hold Arkansas State off as they took set one, 25-16.
The second set was back-and-forth with Belmont maintaining a small lead throughout. The Redwolves overcame a deficit to tie the set at 17-17, but a serving error put the Bruins back on top. Arkansas State was down by four and cut Belmont's lead to two, 23-21, but the Bruins battled and closed the set, 25-21 and evened the match at 1-1.
Belmont continued to play strong in the third set, with both teams exchanging points. The Bruins scored three straight to end the set, 25-22. With the win, Belmont took a 2-1 advantage at the break.
Arkansas State fought back in the fourth set, making Belmont work for the win. The Redwolves took a small lead, but a block from Jen Myer (New Braunfels, Tex.) tied the set at 17. From that point, the Bruins continued to extend their lead with ASU remaining close behind. Scarlet Gable (Munford, Tenn.) put Belmont up 24-23 and an error by ASU allowed Belmont to take the set, 25-23.
Jocelyn Youngdahl (Stillwater, Minn.) and Gable both recorded a team-high 12 kills. Gable also had 10 digs. Hannah Miranda (Covington, La.) dished out 39 assists while Jamie Lundstrom (La Grange, Ill.) registered 16 digs.
As a team Belmont had seven blocks in the afternoon match. The Bruins will play in the nightcap of the Bruin Classic tonight at 6pm against UAB.
