JACKSON, Miss. - The Belhaven University volleyball team posted their third consecutive victory on Tuesday night at Rugg arena with a 3-0 sweep over rival Millsaps College in non-conference play.
Belhaven won the match (25-17, 25-21, 25-19). The Blazers are now 9-6 on the season and are currently sitting in third place in the ASC East division with a 4-2 conference record.
Belhaven controlled the match from the early stages of the first set and on. After leading 7-5, the Green and Gold won five straight points to build a 12-5 advantage. Belhaven continued to dominate the set, and a block assist at the net from Kelly Aholt and Blaykleigh Smythe would clinch the opening set.
The Blazers showed resilience in the second set by rallying from a 7-2 deficit to even the score at 13-13. Following three consecutive kills at the net from Ryan Hardin and Lauren Whiting, Belhaven led 18-15. The Green and Gold never trailed again in the set as Whiting posted another kill to win the set and take a commanding lead.
Millsaps held another early lead in the third set, but Belhaven would find a way to re-gain their momentum. The final set was back and forth between both squads until the Blazers finally pulled away late. Holding on to a 20-18 advantage, the Blazers won four straight points to lead 24-18. Two points later, Lauren Whiting clinched the match on a kill.
As a team, the Blazers finished with 30 kills and a total hitting percentage of .139.
Freshman Carissa Pauda led the way with 10 kills, while Lauren Whiting notched nine and Ryan Hardin collected seven kills respectively. Whiting would also boast 14 digs along with two service aces and a block assist.
Kelly Aholt finished with 25 assists on the night. The senior has led the Blazers in the assist category in every match so far this season. Aholt and Blaykleigh Smythe each tallied two block assists. Smythe would also register a solo block in the victory.
Sydney McEachern added 19 digs and Allie Perkins recorded eight.
Belhaven will return to Longview, Texas on Friday evening for a 7:00 p.m. showdown against conference foe LeTourneau.
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