Box Score MOREHEAD, Ky. – Belmont University volleyball moved to 2-0 in the OVC (5-8 overall) after defeating Morehead State (1-1, 4-12) in a riveting five set match Saturday afternoon (13-25, 25-19, 25-22, 21-25 and 15-10).
Sophomore Arianna Person (Lenexa, Kan.) led the Bruins offensively with 15 kills while sophomore Emily Richards (Penfield, NY) led the Bruins defensively with 19 digs.
Another slow start by Belmont gave Morehead the 11-4 lead to start set one. Belmont struggled to connect offensively which gave Morehead a 14-6 lead. The Bruins were unable to string together scoring runs as the hosts won set one, 25-13.
In the first 10 points of set two there were six lead changes between the Bruins and the Eagles, ending with Belmont on top 10-8. A kill by senor Jocelyn Youngdahl (Stillwater, Minn.) and an ace by sophomore Ellie Ivancich (Naperville, Ill.) gave Belmont a 13-10 lead. The Eagles went on a 4-1 run to tie the set up at 14. An overpass kill by sophomore Alexa Nichols (Walton, Ky.) allowed Bruins to pull ahead 20-16. The two teams battled point for point, as an ace by Ivancich put Belmont ahead 24-19. A ball handling error by Morehead enabled Belmont to even the match at one set apiece.
Bruins and Eagles went back and forth for points to start set three. Belmont went on a 6-0 run to a 12-5 lead. The run was highlighted by a pair of kills from Nichols and Lewis, and an ace by Richards. After a kill by freshman Tori Simmons (Murfreesboro, Tenn.) Belmont led 15-7. The momentum of the match turned in Belmont's favor. Some phenomenal defense and a pair of kills from sophomore Brie Lewis (Stillwell, Kan.), as well as a kill from Youngdahl resulted in a 23-16 advantage for Belmont. Despite a three point run by the Eagles, Bruins took set three 25-22 off a kill from Youngdahl.
Eagles jumped out to a 4-0 quick start in set four. A pair of kills brought Bruins within one. A 7-3 run by the Eagles would give the 11-6 advantage to Morehead. Morehead went on a four-point run to take the advantage to 22-15. A kill by Person and a couple of errors from Morehead brought the Bruins within three 20-23. A kill by the Eagles and a service error by Belmont took the match to set five.
Much like set four, Belmont struggled at the start of the final set, dropping the first four points. But as they did Tuesday night versus Lipscomb, the Bruins dug deep and fought back. An 8-1 rally by the Bruins brought them to an 8-5 advantage at the switching of sides. The lead grew to five points on two Eagle attack errors. Morehead closed within two, but two kills from Youngdahl, a kill from Lewis and an ace by Richards closed out the match 15-10.
Sophomore Emma Price (Fort Mill, SC) finished the evening with 44 assists and four kills. Lewis recorded 12 kills followed by Youngdahl with 10.
Bruins return to OVC play this Tuesday, Sept. 29 against crosstown rival Tennessee State. First serve is slated to start at 6:00 p.m. central time in the Curb Event Center.
