FLORENCE, Ala.—For the first time in the brief history of the ASUN Conference rivalry between Bellarmine and North Alabama, Saturday's match did not go five sets.  Unfortunately for the Knights, the host Lions claimed a 3-0 victory, their first win against Bellarmine in four ASUN contests.
 
The host Lions roared out of the gates, jumping out to a 12-5 lead in the first set, but Bellarmine dug in and started a comeback.  Unfortunately for the Knights, the comeback fell just short.  With the score 23-22 in favor of UNA, Bellarmine capped a furious rally with a Chrysanthi Stamatiou attack, but the officials ruled the ball sailed long without a touch, and the Lions were able to escape with a 25-23 win.
 
The Knights reversed the script in the second set by grabbing a quick advantage, scoring the first five points and going on to extend the advantage to as many as eight. However, this time North Alabama mounted a comeback, and the Lions saw it all the way through by drawing even at 22-22 and pulling out another 25-23 victory.
 
The third frame saw the Knights get out to another early lead.  After UNA scored on the first play, the Knights reeled off seven straight for a six-point lead.  But again, the Lions clawed back and tied the game at 15-15, claimed their first lead at 17-16, and rode the momentum to a 25-21 win.
 
Bellarmine (6-19, 2-11 ASUN) got a double-double from setter Emily Arnold who handed out 18 assists and came up with 11 digs.  She also recorded a service ace, three kills and two block assists.   The top scorer for the Knights was Jayme Scott with eight kills and four service aces.  Bellarmine libero Anna Lococo notched 15 digs to pace the Knights' defense.
 
North Alabama (9-17, 3-10 ASUN) got a double-double from Katy Floyd, who recorded a match-high 14 kills to go along with 11 digs.
 
Bellarmine closes its home portion of the 2021 season this Friday and Saturday with ASUN matches against Central Arkansas and Lipscomb.