JACKSON, Miss. - The Belhaven Volleyball team dropped their season home opener against Mary Hardin-Baylor in straight sets Thursday afternoon. 

The first set was a back-and-forth affair between both teams with UMHB jumping out ahead 10-7. The Blazers struggled in the second half of the set and would go on to drop it 25-15. 

The second set began with both teams trading points early. Unfortunately, the Cru went on a 6-0 run to take a 12-5 lead. Belhaven struggled to keep up and lost the set 25-13. 

In the third set, UMHB came out of the gates swinging with a 5-0 run to begin. The Blazers displayed true grit and cut the lead to two heading into the later stretch. Belhaven continued to fight but ultimately came up short in the end 25-18. 

Ellie Jones led the way on the offensive side for the Blazers with seven kills, while Emma Gardner and Caitlin Torok each had five kills. Torok and Gardner also contributed 19 assists each, with Jones right behind them with 15 herself. Kayla Robinson made her presence felt on the defensive side with 12 digs. Emma Gardner added eight digs as well for the Blazers. 

The Blazers will return to action Friday September 8 at 3:00 PM to face Hardin-Simmons in their first match of the ETBU invitational. 

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