ASHLAND, Ohio—The Bellarmine University volleyball team launched its 2018 season by splitting a pair of matches on Friday in day one of the Ashland Invitational at Kates Gymnasium. After falling in straight sets (26-24, 25-15, 25-22) to Malone University in its morning match, Bellarmine rebounded by dispatching Nova Southeastern 3-0 (25-21, 25-20, 25-18).

In the opener, junior Jacquie Hornung posted a career-high 18 kills to pace the Bellarmine offense, and All-American libero Jordyn Kuchenbrod picked up where she left off last season by coming up with 24 digs to lead the Knights' defensive effort.

As a team, the Knights struggled offensively with Malone outhitting BU .226 to .087. On the other side of the net, the Pioneers owned a 73-69 dig advantage and out-blocked the Knights 10-3.

In the afternoon session, Bellarmine saw marked improvement in its offensive numbers, hitting .252 as Hornung and freshman Bailey Roszman posted 11 kills apiece to lead the way.  Sophomore Abbie Oetting added nine kills for BU with senior right side hitter Katie Adams chipping in eight.

Defensively, the Knights' blocking game also was more effective with eight team blocks compared to five for the Pioneers. Oetting chalked up two solo blocks and four block assists for BU.

Sophomore setter Kristen O'Toole had a strong match for Bellarmine, registering a double-double with 31 assists and 10 digs while Kuchenbrod notched a match-high 22 digs.

Bellarmine (1-1) continues play in the Ashland Invitational tomorrow with matches at 11:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. The Knights take on the Raiders of Shippensburg University in the morning before facing the host Ashland Eagles in the tourney's final match.

HTM BOX SCORE (Malone)

HTM BOX SCORE (Nova Southeastern)