COLUMBUS, Miss. - The Belhaven University volleyball team defeated the Mississippi University for Women Owls in straight sets, 25-20, 25-19, 25-22, in match one and 25-15, 25-23, 25-16 in match two on Tuesday evening in non-conference play.
The Blazers jumped out to a 11-5 opening set lead in the first match of the doubleheader. The Owls tried to rally back as they got within two points of the Green and Gold, but Belhaven cruised past the Owls to take the 25-20 first set victory.
The Blazers got off to a hot start in the second set taking an 8-2 lead to open the set. The Blazers continued to push the points as they found themselves ahead 21-13 in the latter part of the set. The Green and Gold went on to take the second set by a final score of 25-19.
MUW opened the third set going on an 8-6 run, but the Blazers halted the run as they scored five of the next six points to take an 11-9 advantage over the owls in the third set. The Blazers and Owls exchanged points for the majority of the third set as the score was tied 21-21 in the third set. The Blazers continued to pour on the points to take the 25-22 set victory and the 3-0 match victory.
Chelsea Creighton led the Blazers with 11 kills, while Izabella Erickson posted seven kills, three service aces, and one block. Grace Eidson had 22 assists in the contest, while Sydney McEachern led the Blazers defensively with 12 digs. As a team, Belhaven had 36 kills on 79 total attacks.
In match two, the Blazers never let the owls lead in the set and went on to dominate the set by a final score of 25-15 as the Green and Gold leads the Owls 1-0.
The second set was the closest set of the match for the Blazers and Owls. MUW found themselves ahead 12-7 midway through the set, but the Blazers rallied back to score eight straight points to take the 15-12 advantage. Both teams exchanged points until the owls of MUW took the 23-22 lead as the Blazers took a timeout. After the timeout, Belhaven would score the next three points to earn the 25-23 set victory and take the 2-0 lead over the Owls.
The Blazers started the third set taking the 16-9 advantage over the Owls. Belhaven did not let off the accelerator as they went on to take the set and the match by a final set score of 25-16. The Blazers went on to sweep the Owls by a final score of 3-0.
Chelsea Creighton once again led the Blazers with 13 kills, while Vivien Marquez tallied nine kills and Emily Carroll posted seven kills. Marquez also led the Green and Gold with two blocks. Senior Sydney McEachern had two service aces in the match and 13 digs. Grace Eidson finished the match with 27 assists.
The Blazers conclude the short season with a 7-11 overall record and finished the season with four straight wins.
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