LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Backed by inspired effort, the Bellarmine University volleyball team ended its losing streak in a big way, defeating North Alabama, the fifth ranked team in the ASUN, 3-2 in a five-set thriller on Thursday evening at Knights Hall.
 
With the win, the Knights improve to 7-18 on the season, 4-11 in ASUN conference play. With the loss, the Lions drop to 15-13 overall, 9-6 in league action.
 
UNA jumped in front early in the match's opening set, taking a 3-1 lead. Bellarmine strung together some points to even the score 4-4 before the Lions went on the attack to retake the lead and go up six at 12-6. North Alabama continued to control the set late, holding on to a 17-10 lead. Bellarmine wouldn't go down without a fight however, ripping off four straight points to get back within three, down 17-14 as the Lions called a timeout. UNA took the first point out of the break, but BU continued to bear down, scoring the next two points to get within two at 18-16. After another North Alabama point, Bellarmine put the pedal to the metal, using a 6-0 run to surge ahead 22-19. The Lions stopped the run, but the damage was already done as Bellarmine went on to score the final three points it needed to take the first set 25-22. The second set opened with both teams trading points back and forth. Tied 5-5, North Alabama made a push, going on a 4-1 run to take a 9-6 lead. The Lions continued to hold the lead entering the media timeout, up 15-12 at the midway point. Bellarmine stayed in the stanza late, down just three at 20-17 but North Alabama would not be denied, going on to a 25-18 win. The third set started in similar fashion to the second but this time it was the Knights who pushed for the first lead. Tied 3-3, Bellarmine used a 4-1 run to take a 7-4 lead. BU continued to maintain control at the media timeout, holding on to a 15-13 lead. Out of the break, UNA evened the score 15-15 after scoring the first two points. Bellarmine remained calm however, settling into a rhythm to retake a four-point lead at 21-17. North Alabama tried to make things interesting down the stretch, getting back within two at 24-22 but the Knights closed out the set with the next point to take a 2-1 set lead. In what was a close set to start, Bellarmine carried momentum into the fourth set and used it to jump out to a 10-5 lead and force an early UNA timeout. The Knights scored the next two points out of the break before the Lions struck, ending a 7-0 run with Bellarmine ahead 12-5. North Alabama answered immediately with a run of its own, scoring five straight points to cut the lead back to two with Bellarmine ahead 12-10. UNA used another run, this time of four consecutive points to overtake BU, leading 15-14. From there, North Alabama took control and didn't look back, going on to win the set 25-18 and force a fifth set. The Lions struck first in the final set, but Bellarmine had the hot hand early, using a 4-0 run to jump in front 7-2. North Alabama refocused and scored the next three points to get back within two, down 7-5, before the Knights scored their eighth point and the teams switched sides. Bellarmine used the switch to provide an energy boost and extend its lead back to five, up 13-9 as UNA called a timeout. The Lions came out of the break ready for a fight and back within two, down 14-12 as Bellarmine called a timeout. UNA was unfazed, scoring the first point out of the break to close the gap to just one point but the Knights got the job done on the next serve, taking the set 15-13 to secure a 3-2 victory.
 
Sophomore Natalie Bland was electric for the Knights, registering a team-high 23 kills in the match, adding nine digs and two aces to her line. The 23 kills mark Bland's third match with 20+ this season. Senior Anna Purichia was next on the team with 13 kills, followed by fifth-year senior Addison Foote with 12 kills. Junior Kylie Van Hoy paced the offense with 46 assists, one shy of her career high, in addition to seven digs, four kills and an ace. Tonight was Van Hoy's seventh match of the season with 40+ assists. Grad student Mara Perry led the Knights' defensive effort with 19 digs while her freshman counterpart Payton Parsons recorded 11.
 
Up next, Bellarmine will close out its season with one final home game, hosting Central Arkansas this Saturday, November 16 for Senior Day at Knights Hall.
 
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