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Volleyball Stars in Music City, Defeating Belmont Saturday Afternoon

MSU Athletics

Appearing in the same city, but on a different stage, Morehead State followed up last night's performance with another stellar effort Saturday afternoon. The Eagles (19-6, 10-2 OVC) defeated Belmont (2-25, 1-11) in straight sets, taking the match by scores of 25-13, 25-18, and 25-17.

Morehead State struck a chord with their offense, collecting 50 total kills and averaging 16.67 kills per set. Junior Olivia Lohmeier stole the show with a match-high 16 kills, committing just two errors on 28 swings to hit .500 for the match. Backing Lohmeier, a trio of Eagles-freshman right-side hitter Abby Hulsman, junior outside hitter Lauren Rokey, and sophomore middle blocker Mia Swearingen-each recording eight kills apiece.

Freshman setter Bridget Bessler set the rhythm for the Eagle offense, grooving the team to a .394 team hitting percentage. She passed out 33 of Morehead State's 45 team assists while redshirt junior setter Chandler Clark chipped in five helpers.

Backing the offense, Morehead State's defense dug up 47 balls while turning away five more at the net. Sophomore libero Allison Whitten scooped up a match-best 17 digs, averaging 5.67 digs per set and reaching double-figures for the fourth-straight match. Bessler nearly reached double-digits, recording eight digs.

At the net, six Eagles recorded a block led by sophomore middle blocker Hannah Keating who deterred three shots on the afternoon. Lohmeier and Swearingen added two blocks apiece while Hulsman, Rokey, and redshirt junior right-side hitter Liz Allen tallied one block each.

For the sixth consecutive match, Morehead State landed five or more service aces, pocketing five Saturday against Belmont. Whitten collected four of the team's service aces, combining with Bessler to create the team's total.

Morehead State's victory Saturday secured the season sweep of the Ohio Valley Conference's Nashville-based teams for the second consecutive season as Morehead State has won all four meetings with Belmont and Tennessee State this season. The team's sweep in the Music City this weekend also marks the second such sweep in as many years, having done so in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 2012-13.

The Eagles return home next weekend for the team's final two home matches. Morehead State welcomes Tennessee Tech and Jacksonville State to Johnson Arena Friday and Saturday with match times set for 6 p.m. ET and 2 p.m., respectively.

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