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MOREHEAD, Ky. – In its final tune up for the 2018 season, Morehead State volleyball dropped a back and forth affair to visiting Bellarmine Friday at Johnson Arena. The Eagles and Knights alternated sets, with the Knights taking the match in a deciding fifth set, 15-10.

It was all knotted at two sets apiece (25-15, 21-25, 25-22, 18-25) after the first four.

The Eagles used the exhibition as an opportunity to get playing time for the team's four newcomers. Freshmen Hannah Keating, Olivia Montelisciani, Mia Swearingen, and Allison Whitten each acclimated to Division I volleyball, with Whitten and Montelisciani leading the way playing in five and four sets, respectively.

"Obviously we've got a large roster, we've got a lot of new kids and we also wanted to make sure that we were really looking at a lot of different possibilities for us system-wise and wanting to make sure to get everyone some experience out there," said head coach Jaime Gordon. "It was fun to see from our younger players who did a nice job."

Veterans helped pace things for Morehead State as well. Returnees Karlee Reynolds (11), Jessie Wachtman (9), Liz Allen (7), Jordan Jones (7), and Olivia Lohmeier (7) led the Eagles offensively in kills, while Danielle McCarson led the way defensively with 18 digs. Chandler Clark paced the Eagle setters, dishing out 26 assists en route to a double-double, as she added 10 digs. At the net, seven different Eagles got their hands on a deflection, with the Eagles totaling seven total blocks.

"Overall there are some good things to build on," added Gordon. "Defensively, we've got to pick things up and be able hold teams a little bit better and the serve game needs to step up and make sure that we are challenging things in those out-of-system situations too."

Bellarmine's Jordyn Kuchenbrod paced the Knights with 34 of the team's 83 digs, as Bellarmine outdug the Eagles 83-67. Setter Kristen O'Toole dished out 54 assists, with outside hitter Jacquie Hornung connecting on 18 terminations.

Morehead State opens the 2018 season on Friday as it hosts the Eagle Challenge, welcoming in St. Francis Brooklyn, Bradley, and Hampton into town. The two-day events opens at 11 a.m ET with the Eagles hosting the Terriers of St. Francis Brooklyn.