Box Score BOWLING GREEN, Ky. -- Despite strong rallies late in each set, Belmont Volleyball (6-1) fell to regional foe No. 23 Western Kentucky (7-1) on the road Tuesday night. The Bruins were held off in three straight sets (19-25, 17-25, 15-25), 3-0. The loss halts the program's second longest win streak in program history.
The start of set one was marked by an intense back-and-forth battle by the long-time regional foes. The Hilltoppers used a series of ball handing errors to pull away, 13-8, forcing the Bruins to call timeout. BU remained within a two-point striking distance midway through the set but Western Kentucky used a thunderous service ace to fuel it down the stretch to take the set, 25-19.
Belmont jumped out to an early lead in the second set, thanks to kills by redshirt sophomore Alexa Nichols (Walton, Ky.) and junior Brie Lewis (Stillwell, Kan.). The score would be knotted three times before WKU pulled ahead, 14-10. BU called timeout to regroup and pulled within two after the brief break in action. However, the Hilltoppers took advantage of some Bruin attack errors to expand their lead to five, 19-14. The Bruins had a late rally with freshman Keely Hardin (Round Rock, Texas) serving, battling the Tops at set point for three consecutive possessions. Finally, WKU was able to clench the second set, 25-17.
After the break, WKU pushed early and went up 4-1 as the Bruins attempted to claw their way back into the third set. BU called timeout but the Hilltoppers continued to press and quickly blew its lead up to double digits. Western Kentucky continued to stifle Belmont offensive output at the net through the midpoint of the set. Another stint behind the service line by Hardin netted four points for the Bruins and moved them to within five, 15-8. BU battled hard to crack the double digit plateau and catch up to the nationally ranked team.
With match point within reach for WKU, Belmont surged once again behind kills by sophomore Tori Simmons (Murfreesboro, Tenn.), and current OVC Players of the Week Emma Price (Fort Mill, S.C.) and Arianna Person (Lenexa, Kan.). Unfortunately, it would prove to be too little too late as the Hilltoppers took the final set, 25-15.
In spite of the loss, Price accomplished another career feat, moving into third all-time in assists at Belmont.
Belmont returns to action this weekend at the Nike Invitational, hosted by the University of Oregon. The Bruins open the two-day tournament taking on Saint Mary's on Friday at 6 p.m. CT. Live stats will be available. Fans may also follow the team's Twitter account (@BelmontVB) for live, in-game updates.
