Braves sweep Chargers, remain perfect at home
Bellmont Volleyball claimed another big win against a quality opponent when they swept the Carroll Chargers in Decatur Wednesday evening.
A large crowd helped to create an energetic atmosphere throughout the evening.
The teams went backand-forth in the early stages of the first set until Bellmont (161) went on a run that allowed them to stretch their lead and forced Carroll (12-3) to call a timeout.
Aiding Bellmont in building their lead were several mistakes committed by the Chargers. Whether attack or service errors, accuracy was lacking for the visitors as the set went on.
But Bellmont did not allow Carroll to get back into the set, winning the period 25-18 to take the early lead in the match.
The Chargers avoided the same costly mistakes in the second set, but Bellmont continued their momentum with a 25-16 win.
The third set had a much different feel to it.
The Chargers jumped out to an early lead with every point being celebrated with exuberance by their junior varsity and freshman players who were seated behind the bench.
Whenever they did make noise, though, it was often canceled by cheers and chants from the Bellmont student section that was aligned on the side opposite the benches.
Though Carroll put pressure on the Braves early, Bellmont responded nicely by gradually chipping away at the lead until they tied the score at 15.
The Braves then surged ahead and moved closer to the win with each point.
Up 24-21, the Braves returned a Carroll serve with a kill that ricocheted off two Carroll players before spinning over the back line for the final point.
The home fans erupted as the ball floated away from the court.
With the win, the Braves remain undefeated at home. Their only loss of the year came at Carroll but against Hamilton Southeastern rather than the Chargers.
MaryKate Scheumann posted 14 kills for the Braves and Delaney Lawson ended the night with a dozen.
Hailey Cole chipped in 31 assists and four kills.
The victory was the second in two days for the Braves against Fort Wayne opposition. On Tuesday, they went on the road and knocked off Homestead.
Bellmont will be idle for the remainder of the week before hosting Adams Central on Monday. They will open their Northeast 8 schedule on Thursday at New Haven.