MEMPHIS - The Belhaven Volleyball team picked up their first victory of the season, and first victory under first-year Head Coach Olivia Killelea, in what was a Saturday doubleheader split at the Rhodes Invitational Tournament. The Blazers fell 3-0 to Lyon College to open the day but bounced back in their afternoon matchup against Principia to pick up a 3-0, straight sets victory.

Game One vs. Lyon

In the opening set, Lyon jumped out to an 8-2 lead early. Belhaven battled back to cut the lead to just three at 11-8, but the Scots kept the Blazers at bay to take the first set by a score of 25-14.

In the second, Belhaven overcame a slow start to draw within one at 11-10 following three straight points. Lyon answered with a 9-2 run to take a 20-13 lead. Five straight from the Blazers trimmed the Lyon lead to 23-19, but the Scots secured the set by taking two of the next three points for a 25-20 win.

The Blazers and Scots traded points in the third set with the score knotted up at five apiece in the opening set. The two teams split the next 20 total points to once again stay even at 15-15. Lyon was able to create some separation late as they took the highly-contested set, 25-21, to secure the match.

Game Two vs. Principia

Looking to bounce back and leave Tennessee with a victory, the Blazers got off to a fast start in the opening set against Principia. Leading 18-8 midway through the set, the Blazers dominated the set to the end with a 25-11 victory behind a team-high four kills from Emma Gardner.

The second set would be a tighter battle with Principia leading early before the Blazers gained control. After Principia cut the Belhaven lead to 23-20, the Blazers picked up the final two points including the decisive one on a kill by newcomer Mickeyla Sitsler. 

The final set of the match would prove to be the tightest with Belhaven picking up a narrow 25-21 victory. The Blazers led early in the set 5-1 but Principia battled back and late on, cut the lead to 21-20 Belhaven. The Blazers prevailed though, capitalizing on a few mistakes from the opposition and a late kill from McKenna Matthews.

Matthews and Gardner would finish the match as the team leaders in kills with five each while Aniyah Tompkins tallied a team-high 15 assists. 

Following the win, the Blazers will turn their attention to in-state opposition in a week. Belhaven will head to Columbus, Mississippi to take on MUW in non-conference action.

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