Box Score NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Belmont Volleyball (11-11, 8-2 OVC) defeated Southeast Missouri State University (8-14, 4-6 OVC) in three straight sets 25-18, 25-18 and 25-20.
Sophomore Arianna Person played another phenomenal match finishing with 20 kills for an average of .432 along with 12 digs. Redshirt freshman Alexa Nichols (Walton, Ky.) and senior Jocelyn Youngdahl (Stillwater, Minn.) combined for 18 kills and only two errors hitting for an average of .438 and .429 respectively. As a whole the team hit .309 on the match led by redshirt sophomore Emma Price (Fort Mill, SC) who dished out 45 assists. Sophomore Emily Richards (Penfield, N.Y.) held down the back row with 17 digs.
The Bruins started the match with four straight kills from Person that resulted in an early 4-1 lead. Belmont continued to attack aggressively from the net and the service line to take the 11-6 advantage. SEMO retaliated with a three points run and pulled within two but a kill from Person after a long rally gave Belmont the 15-12 advantage. The two teams traded kills until a four point run from the Bruins closed out set one 25-18. Both middles, Youngdahl and Nichols, went 4-7 with no errors for a sizzling average of .571.
In set two Belmont and SEMO would trade off points until an ace from Richards and a block from freshman Maggie Mullins (Nashville, Tenn.) and Youngdahl gave Belmont the 8-4 advantage. Belmont continued to attack the ball and with seven kills and an ace that Bruins pushed their lead to 16-9. Belmont went on a four-point run highlighted by an ace from sophomore Brie Lewis (Stillwell, Kan.) and took a double-digit lead 22-12. SEMO roped together three straight points but a crushing kill from Person closed out set two 25-18.
Belmont started with two kills from Person in set three and SEMO retaliated with three straight points to take a 3-2 lead. After going back and forth for a handful of points Belmont ran off eight straight and took a 12-5 lead. SEMO pushed hard the latter half of the set and brought the score within three 23-20, but a kill from Person and an error from the Redhawks gave the Bruins the victory 25-20.
Belmont returns to Curb Event Center next weekend for the final home matches of the season. Bruins will face Morehead State Friday, Oct. 30 followed by senior night against Eastern Kentucky Saturday, Oct. 31.
