JACKSON, Miss. - The Belhaven volleyball team travels to Austin, Texas to take on the first of two American Southwest Conference (ASC) Crossovers this weekend. 

The Blazers (6-6) will take on Hardin-Simmons (4-6) and Mary Hardin-Baylor (8-3) on Friday and will wrap up the crossover with Howard Payne (3-6) on Saturday. Concordia Texas is hosting the event. 

The ASC Crossover Challenges are matches against conference teams from a different Division. With Belhaven being in the ASC East, they will face opponents from the ASC West.

The Blazers fell in their opening conference matches last weekend to Texas-Tyler and Texas Dallas, who moved up to the top 10 in the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Poll from 11th to 9th. 

Returning home for a quick stop against William Carey, the Blazers showed positive vibes on the court with a 3-0 sweep over the Crusaders on Tuesday night. 

"We have to generate energy, no matter where we are," said head coach Justin Dee. "Our responsibility is to fire up that energy, and that is the biggest thing we have to do on the road. We are in control of that energy."

This is the third meeting all-time between the Blazers and the Cowgirls of Hardin-Simmons, with Belhaven leading 2-1. Last year, the Blazers and Cowgirls went five sets, but the Blazers were triumphant in the match. Prior to last year's match, the Blazers met the Cowgirls in 1996 and 2000. 

Belhaven and Mary Hardin-Baylor will meet for the seventh time in school history Friday night, with each team winning three matches. The Blazers' three-match winning streak against the Crusaders ended two seasons ago with a 3-1 loss on Sep. 7, 2013. 

The Green and Gold will meet the Yellowjackets of Howard Payne Saturday afternoon for the fifth time in program history, with each team at two wins apiece. The Blazers swept the Yellowjackets in straight sets last year. In the previous four meetings, the winner has swept the opponent. 

The other opponents in the ASC West that Belhaven will face, Concordia Texas, McMurry and Sul Ross State, will be played Oct. 14-15 at Texas Dallas in Richardson. 
 
For the latest news on Belhaven Blazers athletics, follow @BelhavenBlazers on Twitter and Instagram, and like us on Facebook.