NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Southeast Missouri (8-15, 4-6 OVC) fell to Belmont (11-11, 8-2) in three sets losing by scores of 18-25, 18-25, 15-20, Saturday afternoon at the Curb Event Center.

Adrianna Person sparked an offensive surge to give Belmont the early edge. Southeast remained in striking distance throughout the set, but was unable to catch the Bruins. Belmont later closed things out with a four-point run to secure a 25-18 win in the opening set. Person's seven kills paced the Bruins who tallied 17 in the frame.

Multiple runs helped Belmont grab an early 10-5 lead in the second set. The Redhawks continued to battle, but again were unable to stop the Bruins' offensive pressure. Late kills by Madalyn Werths and Krissa Gearring gave Southeast momentum, but Belmont won, 25-18. Nzingha Clarke and Gearring each registered four kills to lead Southeast.

Southeast managed to claim a 5-4 advantage in the third set. However, the Bruins answered by scoring eight-straight points to take a 12-5 lead and never looked back. Down, 19-12, the Redhawk defense was strong, forcing several Belmont errors. Kills by Werths and Clarke helped pull the Redhawks to within three (23-20), but that was as close as they would get. Belmont completed its sweep with a 25-20 victory.

Werths led Southeast in kills for the third-straight match, finishing with nine. She also had a .250 hitting clip. Gearring and Jade Mortimer recorded 11 digs each, as the Redhawks posted a total of 48 on the afternoon.

Head Coach Julie Yankus discussed the upcoming week after the match. "We really need to work on being consistent this week as we prepare for our upcoming home matches. We have a great opportunity to get some wins this weekend if we focus on terminating efficiently and properly executing our defense."

Yankus continued, "We are excited to finish the month of October at home so we can finish our Dig for Life campaign in front of a home crowd. I am very excited for our annual Survivor's Game where we honor local breast cancer survivors. It'll be a great way to cap off this year's Dig for Life campaign."

Southeast returns home to host Eastern Illinois (Oct. 30) and SIUE (Oct. 31) next weekend. Saturday's match against SIUE will be the team's annual Survivor Night. The Redhawks will honor breast cancer survivors during intermission of that match.