Box Score
EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. -- After getting tripped up with a lopsided first set loss, Belmont University volleyball roared back to take three sets in a row and get an important 3-1 win over Southern Illinois University Edwardsville on Friday night at First Community Arena.
The win is Belmont's first ever road victory at SIUE, and snaps a 7-match Cougar winning streak in the all-time series.
Kailee Bass recorded a career-high seven blocks in the victory, including a remarkable four blocks in a 25-20 second set win that turned the tide for the Bruins. Taylor Floyd hit a sizzling, season-high .345 on the way to 15 kills, and Lauren Walsh picked up 15 kills as well. Izzy Schauer finished with another double-double, chipping in 14 digs to go along with 19 assists.
After falling 13-25 in the opening frame, it might have been easy for the Bruins' confidence to get shaken. Instead, Belmont (5-11, 3-3 OVC) found a new gear and played efficient, error-free volleyball on the way to a 25-20 win in Game 2 that evened up the match at 1-1.
"I am super proud of the team and the way they fought," head coach Katelyn Harrison said. "The focus and intentionality that happened after that first game was great and helped to move them toward the ultimate outcome of winning the match."
Over and over, Bass was up to the task at the net, combining with Mary Catherine Ball and Carly Mason to challenge the attack of SIUE (4-13, 1-4 OVC). As a team, the Bruins recorded 11.0 blocks, their second-highest total this season.
In the third set, Belmont trailed 6-11 before rattling off a 10-1 run that gave them a 16-12 lead. From there, the Bruins went back-and-forth with a tough Cougars squad, tying 17-17 and 21-21. The Bruins earned a 24-23 lead with a chance to seal the set, but SIUE rattled off back-to-back points to take a 25-24 lead.
Yet, Belmont refused to quit, rattling off three points in a row to force the seventh lead change of the frame and win 27-25, taking a commanding 2-1 lead in sets.
The Bruins kept their foot on the gas in the fourth frame, rolling to a 25-21 match-securing win.
Carly Mason got her first start of the season at right side hitter and also played setter, finishing with an impactful 18 assists along with five digs and five blocks. Rachel McBride tallied 20 digs in the win.
Belmont will look to capitalize on the thrilling win when they rematch with SIUE on Saturday back inside First Community Arena. First serve is set for 2 p.m. and will be broadcast live on ESPN+.
Follow Belmont volleyball on social media - @BelmontVB on Twitter and @belmontvball on Instagram - for complete coverage of the Bruins. Stay up to date with all of Belmont's athletic programs via the official app of the Belmont Bruins, available both in the Apple App Store and on Google Play.
