Gamecocks Lose To Strong Belmont

Saturday, October 10

Nashville, Tenn.

2 p.m.

Jacksonville State University

11-13, 2-4OVC

Belmont

8-9, 5-1OVC

Team	1	2	3	Final F
Jacksonville State	16	15	13	0
Belmont	25	25	25	3

10/10/2015 4:19:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score

NASHVILLE – The Jacksonville State volleyball team ran into a difficult Ohio Valley Conference opponent Saturday afternoon in Nashville, falling to Belmont in straight sets (16-25, 15-25, 13-25) inside the Curb Events Center.

JSU fell to 11-13 overall and 2-4 in OVC play, while the Bruins (8-9, 5-1 OVC) remain just one-game out of first place in the league standings.

Head coach Terry Gamble started his youngest lineup of the season Saturday afternoon, sending a pair of sophomores and four true freshmen to the floor first. The Gamecocks have leaned on youth a lot in 2015, with a roster consisting primarily of underclassmen with only three seniors and no juniors.

Freshmen Kira Hahn-Ventrel and Ashley Clingan made their first career starts for Jax State combining to finish with 10 digs from the back row. Sophomore libero Hannah Kirk recorded 14 digs against a squad that finished the day hitting .333 overall.

Sophomores Charis Ludtke and Allyson Zuhlke tied for a team-high with six kills offensively. Fr

Belmont's quick 6-1 lead to open the match forced the Gamecocks to call for time and regroup early. The Bruins steadily built their lead from there reaching a 10-point advantage at 19-9. Jax State tried to rally cutting it to a seven-point deficit late, before falling 25-16. Coming off the bench, freshman Mandee Eberle led the Gamecocks with four kills in the opening frame.

JSU grabbed a 4-1 lead to begin the second set, but a 7-1 Bruin run quickly had the home team back in front. The Gamecocks fought back tying the set, 10-10, but were unable to move ahead. A talented Belmont squad hit above .300 for the second straight set finishing the frame on a 15-5 run, taking a 2-0 match lead.

The Bruins came out strong once again following intermission. The second-place team in the conference proved its strength with a .294 attack percentage enroute to its largest margin of victory, taking the set 25-13.

JSU returns home to Pete Mathews Coliseum next weekend hosting Eastern Kentucky Friday night, and Morehead State Saturday afternoon in a match scheduled for 2 p.m. Live stats will be available at JSUGamecockSports.com.