OWENSBORO, Ky.—The Bellarmine University volleyball team rolled to a straight sets (25-10, 25-12, 25-23) victory over Kentucky Wesleyan tonight at Jones Gymnasium as the Knights improve to 10-1 on the season.
 
After cruising to easy wins in the first two sets, Bellarmine had to climb out of a 9-4 deficit to claim the final game. The Knights finally took the lead for good when they grabbed a 19-18 advantage.  Kills by Margaret Horihan on the next two plays gave Bellarmine the breathing room it needed to complete the sweep.
 
Bellarmine Coach Jenni Grzebin made extensive use of her bench in the non-conference match with all 16 players on the roster seeing action. Senior Bridget Guinane made her first appearance of the year and wasted no time getting in on the action, recording a kill on her first play.  The Rockford, Illinois native finished with six kills and hit .455 in the contest while adding two assisted blocks.
 
However, freshman Abbie Oetting turned in the most impressive stat line for the Knights, finishing with a match-high eight kills on just 12 total attacks and hit .667. She also had a pair of assisted blocks. Horihan, meanwhile, finished with seven kills, while hitting .500.
 
Chipping in with six kills apiece for the Knights were Guinane, Megan Kimbley, and Jacquie Hornung with Elizabeth Boyce adding five.
 
As a team, the Knights recorded 46 kills and hit .311.  Senior setter Allie Muha tallied 13 assists in just one set while freshman setter Kristen O'Toole came on in sets two and three to pick up 22 assists on the night.
 
Defensively, Jordyn Kuchenbrod paced Bellarmine with 15 digs, and freshman Karleigh Wilson added 10.  Both players also contributed on the offensive side with three service aces each.
 
Kentucky Wesleyan, which fell to 5-7 overall, was paced by Gabrielle Gallois with seven kills and Nicole Venema with 14 digs.
 
Bellarmine returns home to face Great Lakes Valley foe Wisconsin-Parkside on Friday night. Match time is 7 p.m.
 
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