SHREVEPORT, La. - The Belhaven University Volleyball team dropped their first two matches on Friday to Rhodes College and Texas A&M-Texarkana in the Cajun Country Classic.

In the opening set, the Blazers and the Lynx went back and forth on points. After a 9-9 tie, the Lynx went on a 9-2 run to bring the score to 18-11. The Blazers managed to cut the lead down to one in a fiery comeback down the stretch but despite the Blazers' best efforts, Rhodes took the first set 25-23.

In the second set, The Blazers fell behind early, trailing 11-5. Belhaven would continue to struggle as Rhodes increased their lead and would go on to drop the set 25-17.

In the third set, Belhaven came to life and got off to a commanding 10-3 start to set the tone. However, the Lynx didn't shy away from the pressure and went on a 12-1 run to take a 13-11 lead. The Blazers continued to apply the pressure going back and forth with Rhodes towards the end. In the end Rhodes would outplay the Blazers, taking the final set 25-19.

Offensively for the Blazers, Ellie Jones led the way for the Blazers with nine kills while Aniyah Tompkins dished out 19 assists. Cailtin Torok contributed to the effort with seven digs as well as Kayla Robinson with six.

In the first set of the Blazers' second match of the day, both teams exchanged points with Texas A&M-Texarkana jumping out to a 14-10 lead. The Blazers struggled against TAMUT who started to pull away at the latter end. Belhaven went on to drop the first set 25-13.

In the second set, the Blazers got off to a hot start by taking a 6-1 lead to begin. Despite this the Eagles took over and dominated the rest of the match with another 25-13 win.
The Blazers continued to show fight in the third set, with another back and forth affair going with points.  Towards the middle of the set the Blazers fell behind 18-12 as Texas A&M-Texarkana started to heat up. The Blazers struggled to recover and would drop the last set 25-19.

Offensively, Emma Gardner tallied six kills and provided 21 assists to lead the team. Ellie Jones also contributed to the assist category by dishing out 20 as well as Cailtin Torok with 19. Kayla Robinson on the defensive side led the Blazers with 19 digs as well as Miriam Ateca contributing with seven.

The Blazers will continue the Cajun Country Classic on Saturday as they look to bounce back against McMurry at 2:00 PM and Centenary at 6:30 PM.

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