CHARLESTON, Ill.—The Bellarmine volleyball team dropped its season debut on Friday, falling 3-1 to Chicago State in a tournament hosted by Eastern Illinois.
 
The Knights were led by junior Jayme Scott, who recorded a team-high 17 kills and hit .229 in her return to collegiate volleyball after missing virtually all of last season with a shoulder injury.  Bellarmine also got a solid performance from Seville Gates in her collegiate debut.  The freshman out of Merriam, Kansas rang up 13 kills swinging from the right side.
 
Chicago State was led by Yanlis Feliz who contributed a match high 19 kills while hitting .277.
 
The victorious Cougars, jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead then saw a comeback fall short in set two when Bellarmine hung on for a 28-26 set two victory to even the match at one set apiece
 
The Cougars clinched the match by taking sets three and four by scores of 25-21, 25-22.
 
Although the Knights matched Chicago State's 54 kills, the Cougars held significant advantages in team blocks (16-5) and hitting percentage (.247-.133).
 
Bellarmine's defense was led by sophomore libero Anna Lococo who tied Chicago State's Andrea Calderon for match-high honors with 18 digs.  The Knights' setting duties were shared by Sam Rickert and Emily Arnold, who totaled 17 and 16 assists respectively. 
 
Bellarmine returns to action Saturday with two matches.  The Knights will meet Eastern Illinois at 1:30 p.m. (ET) before closing the tourney with IUPUI at 5 p.m. (ET).