Box Score MOREHEAD, Ky. -- Flashes of greatness that peppered the Belmont Volleyball attempt to take down the OVC leader on the first day carried over for a second but it was not enough to bring down the top team. BU (1-11 OVC) fell at undefeated Morehead State (12-0 OVC), 3-0, on Sunday afternoon.
The Bruins, once again, pushed the home team from the first set. The teams wrestled for the lead early as Belmont jumped ahead briefly behind kills from freshman Ally Peterson (Kenyon, Minn.), junior Taylor Floyd (Louisville, Ky.) and senior Halee Van Poppel (Argyle, Texas). By the media timeout, the Eagles only managed to put two points between the teams, 15-13. Belmont continued to battle down the stretch, powered by more kills from Floyd and Van Poppel to remain within striking distance of three points or less. BU closed the point differential to two, 22-20, and the Eagles burned a timeout. Despite another late kill from BU, Morehead State was able to hold on for the 25-21 win.
Belmont came out swinging to open the second stanza but MSU was able to pull away early with the help of a 3-0 run to go up, 8-4. A second run saw Morehead State take a 15-9 lead at the media break. The Bruins were unable to find their earlier rhythm as the Eagles contined to grow the point differential between the teams. BU hoped a 3-0 flurry late would be enough to spark a comeback but Morehead State was able to take the set, 25-14.
Morehead State jumped out to an early lead in the third set but Belmont hustled to knot the score, 5-5. The score would be tied twice more, thanks to kills by Kristen Clemons (Lousiville, Ky.), before the Eagles were able to narrowly pull away. MSU used a 3-0 run to go up, 12-8, forcing the Bruins to call timeout. Belmont remained only two points behind through the midpoint of the set until MSU put together a 4-0 run. BU clawed back into it and used a service ace by freshman Sophia Hagstrom (Dallas, Texas) to move within four, 23-19. However, the home team was able to eke out the final points to take the frame, 25-19.
For the day, Floyd led the Bruins in kills with a total of nine. She was followed by Van Poppel, who added seven in the effort. Junior Carly Mason (Forsyth, Ill.) recorded 25 assists while classmate Peyton Kelley (Normal, Ill.) finished with seven digs. Floyd also led the team in blocks assists with three.
Belmont returns to action at the Curb Event Center, March 21-22. The Bruins host crosstown rival Tennessee State for a pair of matches on Senior Weekend.
