Volleyball Runs Into Stingy Offensive Attack by Georgia in Season Opener

BOX SCORE

ATHENS, Ga. -- Morehead State volleyball ran into an efficient offensive game plan by the host Georgia Bulldogs Friday night as UGA hit .410 en route to defeating the Eagles 3-0 in both teams' season opener at Stegeman Coliseum as part of the Classic City Clash.

The 'Dogs, who nailed 27 kills and had just two errors by the conclusion of the second set, won 25-13, 25-16 and 25-21.

Sophomore outside hitter Abby Hulsman led the Eagles with 11 kills, while grad student and fellow Cincinnati, Ohio native Olivia Lohmeier contributed 10. Lohmeier's streak of 31 straight matches in double digit kills added another notch to 32. She reached the 10-kill mark late in the third set. Hulsman's double-digit night was her seventh career match with 10+ terminations. 

Sophomore setter Bridget Bessler dished out 20 assists. Junior back liner Olivia Montelisciani led the Eagles in digs with six.

The home team only had one player in double-digit kills (Phoebe Awoleye with 11) but used seven blocks, five aces and a 38-30 advantage in digs to get the win.

Morehead State totaled 33 kills and hit .163. Set two included a match-best 13 kills for the visiting Eagles.

A 10-3 opening set run set the tone for the match for Georgia. MSU has set two tied 10-10 but saw UGA outscore it 8-3 in the next few minutes to distance itself. 18-15 was the closest the Eagles managed. In the final set, Morehead State led 6-4 but could not hold the advantage as an 8-0 run turned the tide in the home team's favor.

The Eagles return to the court in Athens for a twinbill Saturday. No. 22 Pepperdine provides the opposition at 12:30 p.m. ET, while Winthrop is the team across the net at 5 p.m.