Box Score NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Belmont volleyball team fell to Jacksonville State 3-1 in an OVC match held Sunday afternoon at the Curb Event Center on the Belmont campus. The Gamecocks won 25-16, 25-20, 23-25, 25-12.
In the first set, JSU took control early, building an early 18-10 lead on multiple kills by Lena Kindermann. The Bruins responded with a three point run aided by a kill and a service ace by freshman Kristen Clemons, which cut the lead to 18-14. However, the Gamecocks responded by winning seven of the next nine points to close out the set 25-16.
Set two started as a back and forth affair with the two teams tied at 8-8. The Bruins took three of the next four points to build a 12-9 lead. After a brief JSU run, freshman Sophia Hagstrom's kill put the BU lead back to three at 14-11. The Gamecocks then went on a 7-0 run to grab the lead at 18-14. Belmont responded by winning the five of the next seven points and after Laura Shoopman's kill, the JSU lead was just one at 20-19. However, the Gamecocks closed out the set by capturing five of the next six points to win 25-20.
The Bruins took control early in set three, building an 8-5 lead. JSU tied at 10-10 after a Sadie Brown kill. The Bruins responded winning four of the next five points and after a Taylor Floyd kill, the BU lead was 15-11. After an attack error by Belmont, JSU cut the lead to 18-16. Then the Bruins earned the next two points to build the lead back to four at 20-16. Then the two teams swapped points and after another Taylor Floyd kill, the Belmont lead was at 23-19. The Gamecocks got the next point to cut the lead to 23-20, but Floyd's kill gave BU set point at 24-20. Then, JSU rattled off three straight points to cut the Belmont lead to one 24-23. However, Floyd's 15th kill of the match closed out the set win for BU 25-23.
The Gamecocks came out strong in the fourth set, building a 6-1 lead after an attacking error by the Bruins. Floyd's kill would cut the lead to 7-3, but then JSU won the next three points to increase their lead to seven at 10-3. After an attack error by JSU cut the lead to 15-9, the Bruins would get no closer. The Gamecocks would win 10 of the next 13 points to close out the set and the match 25-12.
The Bruins were led by Floyd, who posted 18 kills, while Shoopman added 11. Freshman Rachel McBride led the team in digs with 18, while junior Carly Mason had 22 assists.
JSU was led by Lena Kindermann's 19 kills, while Kayle Milton added 15. Lexie Libs had a game-high 47 assists.
Belmont will be back in action tomorrow (Monday) as they host Jacksonville State in the second game of the two-game series at 4:00pm in the Curb Event Center.
