Box Score
Jackson, MS-The Belhaven volleyball team recorded a key Southern States Athletic Conference victory against Faulkner University 3-1 Tuesday night in Rugg Arena. The final set scores were 25-15, 25-19, 24-26, and 25-20. The win enabled Belhaven to move into a third place tie with Mobile in the SSAC West Division standings. The top four teams in the East and West Division make the conference tournament in November and Tuesday's victory helped the Blazers move one step closer to a spot in the tourney.

Belhaven (18-7, 5-5 SSAC) fired out of the gate Tuesday night scoring 11 of the matches first 15 points to build an 11-4 advantage following a kill by Taylor Williams. Faulkner (16-12, 2-8 SSAC) chipped away at the deficit and eventually climbed to within three at 16-13 after a Blazer error. Belhaven then reeled off the next four points to take a 20-13 lead. The first set ended on a block by Christina Atwood and then and error by the Eagles put the game in the game in the books 25-15.

The Blazers got out to a quick start in set number two and led 8-2 after Natalie Davis slammed one of her 12 kills on the night. In the middle of the set, Faulkner pulled to within three points at 15-12, but Belhaven kept the Eagles at bay again tallying five of the next six points to extend the advantage to 20-13 on a kill by Leigh Anne Huddleston. The Eagles did manage to get back within three again at 22-29 following a kill by Autumn Benson. However, Williams answered with a kill of her own and from there Belhaven went on to take the next two points and end the set on top 25-19.

In game three, Belhaven took the early edge 6-2, but this time the Eagles would rally for a win and extend the match to a fourth set. Faulkner went in front for the first time at 17-18 and then led 20-24. Belhaven tied the set at 24-24, but the Eagles were able to notch the final two points for a 24-26 decision.

For the fourth consecutive set, Belhaven enjoyed the early lead as the Blazers pulled out to a 4-0 lead. This time there would be no comeback by the Eagles as Belhaven maintained at least a two point lead the rest of the set. Davis had the game winning point as Belhaven secured the 3-1 match victory.

Williams had a team high 14 kills in the match, but Davis was the most efficient attacker of the night landing 12 kills while recording a .367 hitting percentage. Huddleston had 11 kills and a .360 attack percentage followed by Christina Atwood who also had 11 kills. Atwood played well up front on defense with five solo blocks and Serita Ingram made things difficult for the Faulkner attackers with four solo blocks on the night. Gabriella Zorzoli ended the match with 27 digs and Erin Bradley picked up 42 assists and 14 digs.

Neysa Hernandez had 14 kills to lead Faulkner followed by Autumn Benson with eight. Morgan Wilson had 22 assists and Abbie Melvin had 29 digs.

“This was a big win for us tonight and one we really needed to get for positioning in the conference standings,” said Belhaven Head Coach Ashley Stathas. “The girls played well in all facets of the game. We came out strong and that really set the tone for us the rest of the night. The team has made big strides since the start of the year and hopefully we can keep playing strong as we head through the final portion of our schedule.”

Belhaven has now won five of their last six matches and will take the floor again next Tuesday night when they host the University of Mobile in a key SSAC matchup beginning at 7:00 PM.