Despite two strong starts in both matches against Southeast Missouri State, Belmont fell to 0-4 after another two-match homestand at the Curb Event Center.
Difficulty closing out crucial sets proved too much for the Bruins in both matches against SEMO.
During the first set of match one on Sunday, Belmont started hot with serve and big block by freshmen Kristen Clemons.
The block was followed by a big right-side attack by junior Taylor Floyd, affording the Bruins instant momentum. Belmont led 11-5, forcing SEMO to take a timeout to talk things over.
Sophomore Lauren Walsh went on a serving run, and Belmont never looked back, winning the first set 25-20.
It was during the second set that things began to falter for the Bruins. SEMO opened up scoring with the first point of the set and went on an offensive run of its own.
With Belmont trailing 4-13, the Bruins called a timeout in the hope that it would stem the tide. It didn’t. SEMO picked up the pace offensively and ran away with a 25-15 set win.
Belmont served first in the third set of the game. Head coach Katelyn Harrison stuck with her 6-2 scheme that had junior Carly Mason and freshman Izzy Schauer playing.
Still, SEMO came out strong in the set, jumping out to a 6-5 lead. Belmont hung around for a majority of the set, but SEMO’s 5-1 run closed things out for the Bruins. SEMO took set three 25-21.
Set four was more of the same as SEMO’s offensive firepower proved too much for the Bruins. The final score in the last frame of action was 25-9. SEMO won the match 3-1.
Sophomore Laura Shoopman led the Bruins in kills with 11 in the match. Second on the team was Clemons with six.
In match two on Monday, the Bruins saw more of the same.
Belmont opened up set one with an 8-1 run, shocking SEMO and forcing them to take a timeout.
The Bruins kept the pressure on following the timeout, and midway through Belmont led 21-16. Even though SEMO attempted to slow the Bruins’ run down with a timeout, it couldn’t change the game, as Belmont won 25-18.
SEMO turned it on in the second set, but Belmont answered point-for-point. With five points to go, Belmont tied the game at 20 all. However, two big kills by SEMO changed the momentum. SEMO from there would go on to win the set 25-21.
The third set didn’t go Belmont’s way as SEMO jumped out to a 12-2 lead at the midway point of the set. A ten-point lead was too much for the Bruins to overcome, and SEMO won the third set on an ace 25-9.
With Belmont trailing two sets to one, the fourth set became the deciding factor in the game. SEMO jumped out to an 11-5 lead, but the Bruins quickly climbed back in the game. A 6-2 Belmont run brought the game within three points, 14-11. That was as close as it would get in the fourth set as SEMO closed out the set and the game with a 25-17 set win.
This leaves the Belmont Bruins 0-4 in the season. Their next game is Wednesday, against the University of Tennessee at Martin.
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This article written by Hanley Riggs.