Box Score COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Belmont volleyball fell to the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles, 3-1, Sunday evening at the Eblen Center.
The Bruins (4-11 OVC) split the first two sets of the night, but the Golden Eagles (8-7 OVC) secured the home victory with wins in the final two sets.
Tennessee Tech jumped out to a quick 4-1 advantage to begin the first set, but a kill from junior Taylor Floyd helped tie the match at 10-10 minutes later. The Golden Eagles followed up with a 6-0 run to extend their lead. Tennessee Tech then went up 20-13, but consecutive points from Belmont cut its deficit to just five points. Still, the Golden Eagles held out to take a 25-20 first set victory.
The Bruins came out hot in the second set, as they logged four straight points to take an early lead. Tennessee Tech cut it back within two points, but a block from Sydney Willis kept the Belmont advantage to 10-6. The Bruins took a convincing 18-13 lead following a kill from sophomore Laura Shoopman. Another Shoopman kill gave Belmont the set win, 25-22, to even the score through two sets.
To open the third set, the Golden Eagles rode a 7-0 run, capped off by a kill from sophomore Madeline Furtado. The Bruins responded quickly, as a kill by Floyd put Belmont just four points from the lead. Tennessee Tech took a 10-point advantage by a score of 21-11 shortly after and went on to take the set win by a 25-15 margin.
The Golden Eagles boosted out to another run to start the fourth set, as they took a 9-0 lead. Tennessee Tech extended its advantage to double-figure, 13-3, following consecutive aces. The Bruins were held at bay, while the Golden Eagles finished the 3-1 victory with a 25-13 win in the fourth and final set.
Overall, Belmont was led by Shoopman and Floyd, who combined for a total of 21 kills on the evening. Willis fueled the Bruins defensively with four single blocks and a pair of block assists against Tennessee Tech.
The Bruins are back in action tomorrow for their season finale against the Golden Eagles at 6 p.m. in the Eblen Center.
