Box Score NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Belmont Volleyball (14-13, 11-4 OVC) drops the match against crosstown rival Tennessee State (14-13, 9-6 OVC) in three straight sets Wednesday night.
"Tennessee State had a very good match on their senior night and I give them credit for how well they play." said Head Coach Tony Howell. "We struggled with the line-up change tonight and will have to work hard and piece things together for Saturday."
Redshirt freshman Alexa Nichols (Walton, Ky.) led the offensive effort with seven kills for an average of .357. Sophomore Arianna Person (Lenexa, Kan.) recorded team high nine kills while senior Jocelyn Youngdahl (Stillwater, Minn.) followed closely with eight. Redshirt sophomore Emma Price (Fort Mill, SC) dished out 34 assists while sophomore Ellie Ivancich (Naperville, Ill.) finished the evening with 14 digs.
Tennessee State started out the match strong taking an early 9-4 lead. Belmont would score a few points but a three point run by the Tigers brought their lead to 12-5. Belmont roped together three straight and brought the score within 4. The two teams would trade points for a few rounds and with Ivancich at the service line Belmont strung together five straight and trailed by one at 16-17. The Tigers and Bruins would trade points until TSU took set one 25-21.
In set two the Tigers took four of the first five points to go up 4-1. Belmont would fight back and brought the score within on at 5-6. The teams would play tug-of-war for points until TSU went on a 3-0 run and took the 16-12 advantage. Belmont roped put together a handful of points a few times but could not rally to take the lead. TSU would run off five straight points and took set two 25-18.
TSU jumped out to the early lead once again in set three taking a 5-1 lead. The two teams would rally back and forth until Belmont went on a five to one run and brought the set within one 8-9. The remainder of set three would be a battle for points, and despite a fight from the Bruins including two kills from Person, one from Nichols and one from sophomore Brie Lewis (Stillwell, Kan.), Belmont would drop set three and the match 25-22.
