JACKSON, Miss. - The Belhaven Volleyball team split their Saturday doubleheader against Maryville and Piedmont as they wrapped up their home action for the 2022 season. The Blazers were beaten in straight sets by Maryville before bouncing back with a thrilling, five-set victory over Piedmont.

In the win over Piedmont it was the Lions who took the first set by a 25-19 scoreline. In the set it was Piedmont who jumped out to the early lead and left the Blazers playing catch up. The Blazers would close the gap and bring the set within a point on three separate occasions but they couldn't quite overcome the deficit.

Belhaven was quick to bounce back in the second set however despite the Lions capturing the first three points. After a service ace by Paige Broussard brought the set to 10-10 the Blazers were able to capture the lead and never looked back evening up the match with a 25-18 set win.

In the third set it was a dominant display by the Blazers who took a 2-1 set advantage on the back of a 25-15 set win. Belhaven raced out to a 10-2 lead and continued to put distance between themselves and the visitors leading 18-6 at one point. Piedmont closed the gap some but Belhaven took the set comfortably and looked poised to secure the conference win.

Piedmont responded in a big way in the fourth set however with a 25-17 fourth set win. The fourth set was back and forth but the Lions were able to take a multi-point advantage just before the halfway point. With the match even at two sets apiece the Blazers went to a fifth and final decisive set in search of their fifth conference win of the year.

The final set was tight as well sitting at 5-5 before Piedmont pulled in front 8-5. The Blazers came storming back however and brought the set back even at 10-10 before jumping in front 14-11 to force match point. Piedmont fought off the Blazers for two points but with a 14-13 lead, a serve into the net gave Belhaven the important win.

Jeslian Vazquez led the way for the Blazers with 13 kills while Ellie Jones (12) and Rylee White (10) both ended in double digits. Olivia Johnson finished with a team-high 28 assists and Miriam Ateca provided 15 more. Paige Broussard and Emma Gardner were both top on the team with 21 digs in the match.

Belhaven moves to 8-14 on the season and 5-6 in CCS play with a conference road trip to come. The Blazers will return to action on Thursday, October 20th when they face Huntingdon in Montgomery, Alabama at 12 PM.

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