Box Score
MOBILE, Ala. – Fresh off a five match winning streak, the Belhaven Volleyball team knew a date with Spring Hill College would be their toughest test yet. The Badgers (13-3) were able to keep the Blazers (10-3) off balance all night and defeated Belhaven 3-1 in Southern States Athletic Conference action Friday night.

The Blazers were not able to settle in to a rhythm as they had been doing during their lengthy win streak over the last two weeks. In recent matches the team was able to rebound from a sloppy first set, but against an equally strong opponent the mistakes were magnified.

Spring Hill garnered some NAIA Top 25 votes this week for the first time in 2012 after knocking off preseason favorite Lee in convincing fashion. They looked the part on Friday night. They also boasted the national player of the week in Taryn Nash, who spread the ball around the court all night with 47 assists.

The Blazers dropped the first set to the Badgers 16-25, as they had no answer for the attack of Megan Haber and Sha Sha Buchanan.

After switching sides, Coach Jordan Lay encouraged the team to hang in and keep fighting. “Our team can play with any team in the conference, the girls' just need to believe themselves that they have the talent to beat anybody on any night.”

The pep talk worked to perfection as the Blazers came out with a renewed energy that carried them to a 25-21 second set win to tie up the match at one. Erin Bradley was able to connect with Taylor Williams and Morgan Hofacker on multiple occasions during the set to get the equalizer.

The third set had been kind to the Blazers all season long, winning 11 of the 12 third sets played in 2012. Their sole third set loss was to Millsaps on opening weekend.

Coming off the equalizing set victory, the Blazers were back in their comfort zone and in control of the match. Unfortunately the Badgers had plans of their own. Spring Hill regrouped and found the formula that generated success in the first set, cruising to a third set victory 25-16. Nash and Buchanan were once again the difference-makers in the set.

With Belhaven backs on its heels, Spring Hill took advantage by grabbing the fourth and final set 25-14. The win improved Spring Hill to 4-0 in conference and they remained undefeated on their home court.

Bradley continued her impressive play in the loss, tallying 32 assists on the night. Most of those assists went to Williams (13 kills) and Hofacker (8 kills). Katherine Owen and Gabriella Zorzoli led the Blazers on defense with 13 and 12 digs apiece respectively.

The loss was the first conference setback for the Blazers this season, but they have a chance to redeem themselves in a key conference matchup at Mobile on Saturday afternoon at 1:00 PM.