By: by KSU Sports Information
NASHVILLE - Justine Young had 14 kills and Sara Metroka cleared the 1,000 assists mark for the season as the Kennesaw State volleyball team fell, 3-0 (25-18, 25-16, 29-27), to Belmont at the Curb Event Center in Atlantic Sun Conference action Saturday afternoon.
"We had much better intensity in the third set, even though we did not come out with the win," said KSU head coach Karen Weatherington. "Against teams the caliber of Belmont, we cannot afford to get off to a slow start or we will end up in a two-set hole like we did today."
The Owls (12-15, 7-5 A-Sun) were paced by Young's 12 kills, but couldn't muster the defense to counter Belmont's quick sets and back-row attacks. Maggie Johnson had 18 kills to lead the Bruins, who had 45 kills as a team compared to just 31 for KSU.
After dropping the first two sets, the Owls found themselves with a chance to steal set three. Trailing 22-18, the Owls used a pair of blocks to cut the deficit to two, 22-20. Belmont scored the next point off a Johnson kill, but back-to-back kills by Young pulled the Owls within a point, 23-22. After a Belmont timeout, Young came back with another kill to tie the set, 23-all.
Belmont earned a set point try after a kill, but another successful attack by Young tied the set, 24-24. After a Belmont attack error, the Owls had a crack at set point with a 25-24 lead. However, a kill and a block by the Bruins gave the home team match point again, 26-25. The Owls again fought off set point as a Belmont swing landed just beyond the back line to tie the set, 26-all. The Bruins earned another match point try with a kill from Johnson, but Lang let the Owls fight that one off with a kill. That would prove to be the final point the Owls would earn on the day. A Johnson kill and a Bruins service ace closed out the Olws with a, 29-27, defeat.
Camille Pedraza had a match-high 13 digs to lead the Owls defense, as KSU had eight more digs than the Bruins. Lang and Emily Bean each had eight digs as well. Sara Metroka had 25 assists, clearing the 1,000 assists mark for the season with the effort and bringing herself to within seven of 2,000 for her career.
Johnson's 18 kills were a match-high. Jen Myer had seven kills as Belmont had five different players with five or more kills.
The Owils will be back in action Saturday, Nov. 12, at 5 p.m. at the KSU Convocation Center when they face in-state rival Mercer. The final regular season match of 2011, KSU will celebrate Senior Day, honoring Rachael Albright, Holly Knight, Lang, and Young following the match.
