Nov. 7, 2009

Box Score

GREENVILLE, S.C. - Belmont volleyball ended a three-match winning streak after losing 1-3 to Furman on Saturday afternoon in Alley Gymnasium (21-25, 14-25, 25-22, 25-27).

The Bruins' final non-conference match featured the Salava sisters as opposing starting setters. Belmont sophomore Channing Salava recorded her seventh double-double of the season -- 35 assists and 11 digs - adding four aces and five kills on a .364 hitting percentage. Furman senior Kelsey Salava quarterbacked the win with 33 assists and four digs.

"There are a small percentage of players, in any sport, that have had that experience," Head Coach Deane Webb said. "For them to have it two years in a row is a special thing for both of them and their parents. I'm glad we were able to do that."

The younger Salava recorded two of her four aces to give Belmont an early 4-0 advantage in the first set. But the Lady Paladins responded by scoring the next 10 points on their way to a 25-21 first-set victory.

Belmont struggled with passing and hitting in the second set, hitting .000 on eight kills and eight errors to surrender the set, 14-25.

Furman held an 11-18 advantage in the third set before Belmont was able to storm back with a 9-2 run, eventually winning, 25-22. Junior Kayla Albritton was the heart of Belmont's comeback with three-straight aces to put the Bruins within one at 18-19. Salava used a deceptive set-attack to give the Bruins their first lead of the set at 21-20.

After a close fourth set with 10 ties and eight lead changes, Furman was able cut the Bruins' comeback short with a 25-27 victory.

Junior Tara Blood finished with a .381 hitting percentage on nine kills, with five blocks. Sophomore outside hitter Maggie Johnson led Belmont in kills with 12.

Furman outside hitter Natalie Braun had a double-double with 12 kills and 14 digs. With the four-set win, Furman's winning streak extends to 14. The Lady Paladins improve to 22-3, and hold an undefeated, 13-0, SoCon record with three conference matches left.

"Furman is a very good team," said Webb. "They are well-coached and athletic - it is not an accident that they are 22-3. We showed moments of playing at that level but the difference in being a good team and a great team is being able to do that consistently and disciplined."

Belmont will conclude the regular season with matches between East Tennessee State and Campbell at the Curb Event Center next weekend. Saturday's date with Campbell is Senior Day for the Bruins' lone senior, Jenny Gray.