Volleyball Swept by Tennessee State

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Belmont University volleyball fell in straight sets to crosstown foe Tennessee State at Kean Hall on Thursday night, 17-25, 17-25, 19-25. 

In the 42nd all-time meeting between the two programs, it was the hosting Tigers who took command of things early on and held off a surging Bruin comeback attempt in the third set to secure the sweep. 

The result snaps a four-match Bruin win streak in the series. 

Rachel McBride finished with 18 digs to lead Belmont (2-9, 0-0 MVC) defensively. 

With her 11 kills, Laura Shoopman hit the double-digit kill plateau for the ninth time in 11 matches. 

Lauren Walsh added eight kills, and Brooke Gilleland finished with seven kills. 

In the first set, Tennessee State (3-7, 0-0 MVC) rattled off an 8-0 run to break a 4-4 tie and take a 12-4 lead they would not relinquish, keeping Belmont at arm's length with leads of 17-8 and 22-11 on the way to a 25-17 win in the opening frame. 

Shoopman did her best to keep the Bruins competitive, recording seven of her 11 kills in the first set. 

In the second set, the Tigers roared out to an 8-0 advantage to start things off and later led 22-11. Belmont was not going to go down quietly, storming back to cut things to 23-16 with two kills each from Shoopman and Gilleland. However, the hill was too much to overcome as Tennessee State took the second set, 25-17. 

In the third set, neither team was able to create much separation, with the Tigers holding a slim 14-12 lead midway through the frame. A 3-0 run from Tennessee State created a five-point hole for the Bruins, and the home team was able to withstand a late comeback attempt for the 25-19, match-clinching win. 

Up Next 

Belmont will return to Kean Hall on Tennessee State's campus on Friday morning for a match against Bethune Cookman at 10 a.m. Later in the day, the Bruins wrap up action at the Tiger Invitational with a bout against Alcorn State at 3 p.m.  

Tickets can be purchased here. 

While neither match will be streamed, live stats will be available on BelmontBruins.com and in-game updates will be posted to Twitter by @BelmontVB. 

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.               

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