Box Score FORT MYERS, Fla. --- Belmont fell to rival and top-seeded Lipscomb in straight sets in the Atlantic Sun semi-finals for the second straight season. The Bruins lost to Lipscomb in straight sets for the first time this season, while it was their third loss to the Lady Bisons overall in 2010. Belmont closed the season at 14-15 overall, their lowest win total in the past six seasons.
Freshman Jen Myer led Belmont with seven kills while fellow freshman Hannah Miranda again led the Bruins with 22 assists. Senior Kayla Albritton led the way with 13 digs.
Belmont fell in set one 14-25, before coming back strong in the second set. The Bruins kept the second set tight but failed to string two points together and tie the set. The two point margin was enough for Lipscomb to hang on and take set two 23-25. A confusion with the starting lineup in set three hampered Belmont out of the gate. Lipscomb jumped out to a 5-1 lead and the Bruins never recovered, falling 11-25 in the deciding set.
Lipscomb advances to the championship game while Belmont concludes the season in Fort Myers. The Bruins started the season slow, but had been playing well at the right time at the end of the conference season, going 7-3 in conference play, including winning five of their last six regular season games. Belmont carried that momentum into the first round of tournament play against Mercer last night. The Bruins won that match in three sets to advance to play Lipscomb again.
Belmont and Lipscomb had met four times in conference play prior to today. The winner of the Belmont-Lipscomb match had gone on to win the past four conference tournaments and secure the automatic NCAA tournament bid. Belmont came into the match today as the four seed for the second straight year. The Bruins are now 2-2 as a four seed and 9-5 overall in Atlantic Sun tournament play.
The loss today marks the end of playing careers for Belmont's five seniors. Kayla Albritton, Tara Blood, Carly Frazier, and Ester Mellado all played in the final match. Senior Megan Clements was sidelined with a foot injury and unable to play today.
