LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Bellarmine volleyball team made its 2023 home debut one to remember as the Knights recorded two 3-0 sweeps over opponents on Day 1 of the Bellarmine Volleyball Classic presented by the Hilton Garden Inn and Suites.
 
In their first action of the day, the Knights rolled past the University of New Orleans in straight sets behind the first career double-double by freshman Natalie Bland, who notched 13 kills and 11 assists. In the night cap, Bellarmine bested former Great Lakes Valley Conference foe Southern Indiana powered by a strong attack and a solid service game.
 
"I'm really proud of how we came out and battled today," said Bellarmine Coach Rick Nold. "We played aggressively and kept both teams out of system, which is an area we worked on all week."
 
Against UNO, Bellarmine limited the Privateers to set scores of 12, 15 and 21 while holding the visitors to an .088 hitting percentage.  In addition to Bland's standout game, senior libero Anna Lococo racked up 23 digs and recorded her third kill of the season while dishing out six assists.  Setter Macie Garrison, meanwhile, just missed out on a double-double with 20 assists and eight digs.
 
Southern Indiana played the Knights a little more closely, reaching 22 points in the first two sets before dropping the final set 25-19.  The Screaming Eagles got 13 kills and a .313 hitting percentage out of Leah Anderson, but three different Knights swung at a higher clip, led by Bland's .407 hitting percentage.  The Aiken, South Carolina recorded 14 kills on just 27 swings while adding two service aces and seven digs.
 
Also enjoying solid hitting nights were Bailey Venard, who hit .316 in recording nine kills, and freshman Maddie Hagan, who had eight kills while hitting .353.  Other top performances against the Screaming Eagles were Garrison's 37 assists and Lococo's 18 digs.
 
On the day, Bellarmine enjoyed a 17-5 advantage in service aces with Tessa Nauert chalking up five on the day.
 
Bellarmine returns to action on Saturday at 2:30 p.m., when the Knights will face the Murray State Racers in the final match of the Classic.  Murray State also swept UNO and USI in its matches today.
 
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