Box Score
MOREHEAD, Ky. -- Despite a fast start in the first set, Belmont Volleyball dropped Friday's match to OVC-leading Morehead State on the road in Morehead, Ky., losing 3-0 to give the Eagles their thirteenth straight win.
Belmont (9-16, 7-8 OVC) fell 19-25, 13-25, 19-25, to the red-hot Eagles, who have not lost since Sep. 25.
Sydney Willis picked up five block assists and Mary Catherine Ball had one solo block and four block assists to lead the Bruin charge at the net. Belmont out-blocked Morehead State (17-9, 13-2 OVC) 10.0 to 6.0 on the match.
"I thought we did a good job at executing our game plan," head coach Katelyn Harrison said. "Our blocking was strong and really helped to slow them down. We need to refocus tomorrow and find a way to get more kills."
Carly Mason was another bright spot for Belmont, recording a team-high six kills with eight assists on a .333 attack percentage.
Rachel McBride recorded 16 digs, and has now tallied double-digit digs in 21 of her 24 matches this season.
Belmont's dynamic tandem of Taylor Floyd and Laura Shoopman were held to just four combined kills by the outstanding defense of Morehead State, who entered Friday night leading the conference in opposing attack percentage, at .136.
The Bruins matched the Eagles blow-for-blow in the first set, leading 14-12 after a Shoopman kill and then tying the home side 18-18 on a Ball block. However, Morehead State ended the frame on a 7-1 run to go up 1-0 in sets.
In Game 2, Belmont was held to a –0.31 attack percentage and never really found their offensive footing. Morehead State held the Bruins to just three kills and won, 25-13, to go up 2-0 in sets.
In the third and final frame, Morehead State led by as many as five points at 17-12, but Belmont roared back to cut it to just a 20-18 deficit on an Izzy Schauer ace. However, the Eagles were able to put together another run, taking five of the last six points to seal the sweep.
On the night, Morehead State outhit Belmont .234 to .056.
Belmont will be back at Johnson Arena in Morehead, Ky., for a Saturday afternoon rematch with Morehead State. First serve is scheduled for 2 p.m. ET/1 p.m. CT.
The match will be streamed live on ESPN+, and live stats will be available on BelmontBruins.com and on the official app of Belmont Athletics.
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.
