NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Indiana State volleyball completed an undefeated weekend of competition on Saturday, defeating Belmont 3-1 (25-13,20-25,25-22,25-20) to earn the 500th victory in program history.
 
With their victory, the Sycamores (3-2, 0-0 MVC) are off to their best since a 4-1 start at the beginning of the 2017 campaign.
 
The Indiana State defense played a crucial role in Saturday's success, especially at the net. As a team, ISU recorded 11 total blocks, their first time recording more than 10 in a match this season, with Madeline Williams leading the way at eight. Kaitlyn Hamilton added five additional blocks while Karinna Gall and Storm Suhre contributed four and three, respectively.
 
Williams wasn't only dominant at the net, however, as the senior added 10 kills, four digs and two service aces as well. Hamilton led the offensive effort, tallying 14 kills to lead the Trees. Gall and Suhre also surpassed the 10-kill threshold at 11 and 10. As a team, ISU ended with a 56-53 kill advantage while holding the Bruins (2-1, 0-0 OVC) to .188 hitting. The Blue & White hit .237 for the match.
 
Freshman Emma Kaelin was impressive once again sharing the ball, tallying a career-best 42 assists to go along with 13 digs and four kills. On the ground, Tedrow recorded a team-high 17 digs while Taylor Shelton also added 13. Belmont ended the match with 72 digs to the Sycamores' 65.
 
Similar to the first four matches of the season, the Sycamores started the match rolling on offense, hitting .289, but recording 14 kills, en route to a 25-13 set victory. Williams formed a wall of her own at the net, recording four blocks while Suhre earned four of her kills in the opener.
 
Set two began in similar fashion for the Blue & White as ISU maintained the lead late into the frame, holding steady at 20-17. Belmont would rattle of eight straight points to end the second and earn a 25-20 win. The Bruins held the Sycamores to just .146 hitting in the set.
 
The third frame saw the Trees race out to an 11-7 advantage courtesy of an Ashely Eck service ace, one of her four on the night, before Belmont clawed back to tie the game at 13. A kill from Mallory Keller and block assist from Hamilton and Williams gave the Sycamores a 15-13 lead and ISU wouldn't look back, never trailing again and winning the set, 25-22.
 
Indiana State saved their best offensive stretch for last, tallying 17 kills while hitting .350 in the final frame to win the set, and match, running away at 25-20. Ending the match on a 5-2 run, a Suhre kill followed by a Bruin attack error solidified the victory for the Sycamores.
 
Sycamore volleyball will return to Terre Haute next week when they host the Sycamore Invitational from Thursday, Sept. 9-Saturday, Sept. 11. ISU will open the tournament with a match against IUPUI on Sept. 9 at 6 p.m. ET in the ISU Arena.
 
For the latest information on the Sycamore Volleyball team, make sure to check out GoSycamores.com. You can also find the team on social media including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.