LOUISVILLE, Ky.—The Bellarmine University volleyball team won in straight sets (25-16, 25-20, 25-21) over the visiting Kentucky State Thorobrettes as the Knights made their 2015 home debut tonight in Knights Hall.

Margaret Horihan led the Bellarmine offense with a match high 12 kills while hitting a robust .474 on the night. Fellow sophomore Megan Kimbley also contributed a solid performance with nine kills and a .444 hitting percentage.

The match had an ebb and flow over the first two sets that saw the Knights get out to large leads before fending off KSU comebacks.  The third set looked as if it were going to be a Bellarmine blowout with the Knights jumping out to a 6-1 lead.  However, after a KSU timeout, the Thorobrettes scored six of the next seven points to draw even at 7-7.  The game remained close until the Knights were able to extend a 19-18 lead to a four-point spread and escape with a 25-21 win.

Kitrice Ploucha led the Thorobrettes with seven kills as five different KSU hitter recorded more than four on the night.

Defensively, both squads recorded four blocks, but the Knights owned a 43-36 dig advantage, led by Jordyn Kuchenbrod's 12. 

For KSU, the loss marked the first of the season after opening 6-0 at the "West Cluster" of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.  The Knights improved to 5-3 on the season with the victory.

Bellarmine now moves into Great Lakes Valley Conference play, where they will open on Friday at William Jewell College in Liberty, Mo. 

BOX SCORE (HTM)