NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Belmont volleyball (6-9-, 3-1 OVC) will be closing out their home stretch this weekend with two matches in the Curb Event Center. The Bruins will face the Golden Eagles of Tennessee Tech (4-13, 2-2 OVC) Friday, Oct. 9 at 6:00 p.m. CT and the Gamecocks of Jacksonville State (11-11, 2-2 OVC) Saturday, Oct. 10 at 2:00 p.m. CT.
"It is hard to believe that we only have six weeks left in the season," said Head Coach
Tony Howell. "This weekend we have Tennessee Tech and Jacksonville State, two talented teams that can present a big challenge towards our goal."
This past weekend Tennessee Tech swept Southeast Missouri in three straight sets. The Golden Eagles are led offensively by sophomore outside hitter Kellie Williams who has recorded 156 kills (2.64 p/s) per set. Junior libero Kennedy Wade leads the defense from the back line with 228 digs while freshman middle blocker Shaneice James leads the effort from the net with 50 total blocks. Junior setter Sharon Anderson has tallied up 509 assists on the season so far.
Jacksonville State also tallied a victory in three straight sets against UT Martin this past weekend. The Gamecocks are led offensively by senior outside hitter Emily Rutherford with 237 kills (3.20 p/s) followed closely by sophomore outside hitter Charis Ludtke with 207 kills (2.84 p/s). Senior defensive specialist Samantha Bohne leads the defensive effort from the back with 296 digs while freshman middle blocker Mackenzie Rombach leads the way in the front with 52 total blocks. Sophomore setter Jennifer Hart has tallied 731 assists on the season thus far.
"With talented teams like Tech and JSU you cannot take anything lightly, " said Howell. "We will need to come into both of these matches focused and determined to stay on course. It will be a tough weekend, but excited to continue the high level competition in the OVC."
The Bruins as a team are ranked in the top-50 nationally, out of 329 teams, in aces per set (39th) as well as total aces (48). Belmont is also ranked 84th out of 329 teams in attacks per set. Sophomore Arianna Person (Lenexa, Kan.) is ranked in the top 100 in a multitude of categories including aces per set, attacks per set, total points, service aces, and total attacks. Redshirt Sophomore Emma Price (Fort Mill, SC) is also ranked in the top-100 in total assists.
Person is ranked fifth in kills with 219 (3.59 p/s), third in aces with 61 (0.39 p/s), and fifth in total points with 254.5 (4.17 p/s). Price is ranked 10th in service aces with 18 (0.30 p/s) and third in assists with 568 (9.47 p/s) and sixth in blocks with 97 total blocks (1.59 p/s). Sophomore Ellie Ivancich (Naperville, Ill.) is ranked eighth in aces with 21 (0.34 p/s).
Both contests will be broadcasted live on OVC Digital Network as well as you can follow along with live stats which are all available on belmontbruins.com.
