Box Score NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- A late rally was not enough to lift Belmont Volleyball over the hump on Friday evening to earn another Ohio Valley Conference victory. The Bruins (2-18, 1-4 OVC) fell to in-state rival Tennessee Tech (7-11, 3-2 OVC), 3-0, in the Curb Event Center.
The Bruins took an early lead in the first set, thanks to multiple kills by sophomore Taylor Floyd (Louisville, Ky.) before the Golden Eagles were able to knot the set, 9-9. Each surge BU made, Tennessee Tech kept pace through the midpoint of the set despite kills from junior Halee Van Poppel (Argyle, Texas) and sophomore Mary Catherine Ball (Hendersonville, N.C.). TTU hit the 20-point threshold first, pushing the Bruins to call for a huddle session. After the quick break, Belmont rallied and closed the scoring differential to just two points, 22-20. The Golden Eagles crept up to set point but the Bruins pushed back and made it a two point set once again, 24-22. However, TTU was able to collect the final point take the set, 25-22.
The start of the second stanza was a repeat of the first as Belmont once again grabbed an early lead, 5-3, behind kills by sophomore Kailee Bass (Aurora, Ill.), Floyd and Van Poppel. The Golden Eagles soon pulled ahead, 13-8, with the help of a 4-0 run. The sudden flurry saw BU call for a timeout to regroup. Belmont came out swinging and used a block by senior Huntir Bass (Mobile, Ala.) and Van Poppel to move within one point, 16-15. The sudden rally saw the Golden Eagles burn a timeout. The pause in the action was enough to help Tennessee Tech build momentum down the stretch as it went on to take the stanza, 25-18.
At the top of the third frame, the Bruins rolled off four straight points looking to get back on track. Tennessee Tech was able to pull within three, 9-6, but Belmont used back-to-back kills down the middle of the court from Huntir Bass to stay ahead. The Golden Eagles pressed in and were able to tie the score at 10, lifted by a 3-0 run. TTU built a three-point advantage and carried it through the midpoint of the set, eventually building it to as many as five, 21-16. Belmont dug in its heels and surged in the waning points, using a pair of kills by Floyd to close the gap to three, 23-20. With BU within striking distance, Tennessee Tech called for a timeout. Unfortunately, Belmont was unable to make up the distance, falling 25-21.
For the match, Floyd posted a match-high 18 kills. Classmates Carly Mason (Forsyth, Ill.) finished with 34 assists while Peyton Kelley (Normal, Ill.) recorded a match-high 19 digs.
Belmont returns to action on Saturday afternoon in the Curb Event Center. The Bruins host Jacksonville State beginning at 2 p.m. Live stats will be available. Fans may also follow the team's Twitter account (@BelmontVB) for live, in-game updates.
