ABILENE, Texas- The Belhaven University volleyball team was unable to overcome a slow first set start in Saturday's three set loss to Hardin-Simmons University in American Southwest Conference play.

The Cowgirls defeated Belhaven 25-9, 25-18, 25-18.

Saturday's match was the final match for Belhaven at the ASC Crossover Challenge in Abilene this weekend.

Belhaven has now lost six straight matches and falls to 11-12 on the year with a 6-7 record inside the ASC.

After a rough 25-9 first set loss, Belhaven played much better in the second set. The Green and Gold kept pace with the Cowgirls midway through the set at 11-11.

Hardin-Simmons would go on to win the next six consecutive points to build a 17-11 advantage and control the remainder of the set.

In the third and final set, Belhaven quickly found themselves down 12-2. Hardin-Simmons would continue to find ways to win points up at the net on their offensive attack. The Cowgirls would win connect on two more kills up front to end the set and the match at 25-18.

The Blazers only converted 20 kills throughout the course of the match while HSU posted 46 as a team.

Hardin-Simmons also recorded eight service aces on the Blazers.

Ryan Hardin and Lauren Whiting led the way for the Blazers on the offensive end with five kills apiece. Hardin collected two blocks and Whiting also notched a team-high 15 digs.

Meghan Luker added a team-high 20 assists.

Blaykleigh Smythe would also notch two block assists.

Sydney McEachern collected nine digs while Jackie Fredericks and Katy Grace Abbott finished with seven digs each.

The Blazers will take on LeTourneau next Friday on Oct. 20 at 3:00 p.m. at Rugg Arena.

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