ABILENE, Texas - The Belhaven University volleyball team dropped two matches on Friday against the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor and Howard Payne University at the ASC Crossover Challenge in Abilene, Texas.

Belhaven was swept by the Cru in the first match  by a score of 25-19, 25-16, 25-13 and then fell in a five set showdown against Howard Payne 25-14, 22-25, 25-15, 12-25, 15-11.

The Blazers have lost five consecutive matches and are now 11-11 overall on the season and 6-6 in ASC play.

Against (RV) UMHB, the Blazers got off to a quick 7-3 lead in the opening set. However, the momentum would shift to the Cru moments later as they worked their way back into the lead at 11-10.

Belhaven kept themselves in striking distance, but were never able to close the lead as they lost eight out of the nine final points in the set to fall 25-19.

The Blazers once again played well in the opening stages of the second set and led 10-7, but could not secure the lead, as Mary Hardin-Baylor yet again stormed back to regain the lead. The Cru would not trail the rest of the set after taking a 12-11 lead.

In the third set, Belhaven struggled early on and found themselves in a 14-6 hole. The Green and Gold were only able to win 13 points in the set as the Cru controlled it from start to finish.

Blaykleigh Smythe finished with seven kills, while Ryan Hardin and Lauren Whiting each tabbed five kills.

Whiting and Hope Tourney also collected two block assists apiece.

Meghan Luker tallied 22 assists and Sydney McEachern notched 14 digs.

In the final match of the day, Belhaven got off to a slow start in the first set trailing 7-2. The Blazers rallied to close the deficit down to two, but the Yellow Jackets prevailed with a 25-14 set win.

Belhaven won its first set of the day in the second set. The Green and Gold rallied from another early set deficit to lead 19-16. A kill from Blaykeligh Smythe clinched the set at 25-22.

The Blazers were unable to hold on to their momentum from the previous set as they trailed the entire way in the third set and never found their groove losing by a score of 25-15.

Belhaven dominated the entire fourth set and jumped out to a 14-3 advantage. The Blazers increased their advantage out to 22-8, and another kill from Smythe ended the set to force a fifth set.

In the fifth, Belhaven posted an 8-6 lead, but would squander the next seven points. Belhaven made a late push down 13-8 to try and win the match, but fell 15-11.

As a team, BU produced 43 kills, 41 assists, and four service aces.

Blaykleigh Smythe had another big day for Belhaven at the net with a team-high 11 kills and five total blocks.

Bekah Williams added 10 kills and Ryan Hardin posted nine in the loss. Meghan Luker registered 37 assists, nine digs, and three service aces.

Lauren Whiting finished with five kills and 17 digs.

Sydney McEachern and Jackie Fredericks tallied 23 and 10 digs each respectively.

The Blazers will face Hardin-Simmons University tomorrow at 12:30 p.m. in their final match of the ASC Crossover Challenge.

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