Knights close play in Miami tourney by sweeping host RedHawks

OXFORD, Ohio—The Bellarmine Knights closed out their play in Miami University’s Best Western Invitational in grand style by sweeping the host RedHawks 3-0  (25-15, 25-17, 25-22) on Saturday afternoon in Millett Hall.
 
In perhaps their best performance of the season, the Knights swung for a season-high .323 attack percentage and notched seven service aces.
 
First year head coach Rick Nold loved what he saw out of the Knights.  “This is Bellarmine volleyball!” he said after the match. “I loved how aggressive we were from the serving line.  We’ve talked all preseason that if we win the serve/serve-receive game, we will be a really tough team to play, and tonight was a great example against a really talented Miami team.”
 
Bellarmine was led by the senior trio of Jayme Scott, Hannah Brown, and Emily Arnold.  Scott posted a match-high 14 kills while hitting .313; Brown recorded eight kills on just 14 swings for a .429 attack percentage, and Arnold doled out 36 assists as Bellarmine outpaced Miami 44-31 in kills.
 
Scott and Brown also made their presence felt on the defensive end where they each had four block assists with Brown adding a solo rejection.  Junior libero Anna Lococo also turned in a strong defensive effort and her best performance of the weekend, averaging six digs a set for 18 on the day.
 
At the service line, four different Knights recorded aces.  Carissa Reyes, Scott and Lococo chalked up two apiece and Tessa Nauert added one. 
 
The win evens Bellarmine’s record at 3-3 on the season, while the RedHawks slip to 2-3.
 
The Knights make their home debut in their next action when they host the Hawthorn Suites Louisville East Bellarmine Invitational on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 9 and 10.
 
Bellarmine opens with Seattle University at 12:30 p.m. on Friday before taking on Gardner-Webb at 7 p.m. On Saturday, the Knights close the event with a 2 p.m. match against the Jaguars of IUPUI.
 
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