Box Score MURRAY, Ky. – Belmont volleyball advanced to the finals in the 2014 OVC Championship with a hard fought victory over sixth seeded Eastern Illinois in four sets (17-25, 25-19, 27-25, 25-17) Friday evening at Murray State's Racer Arena.
With the opening stanza knotted at 11 midway through, EIU took control as the Panthers tallied seven of the next eight points in order to pull ahead, 18-12.
The Bruins couldn't get any closer than five points the rest of the way as back-to-back EIU kills finished the set in the Panthers' favor, 25-17.
The second set went in much of the same manner as the first, but this time the Bruins were the ones to break an 11-11 tie as BU went on an 8-2 run midway through in order to take a 19-13 advantage.
Belmont never relinquished its lead as a kill by Arianna Person (Lenexa, Kan.) gave the set to the Bruins, 25-19, and evened the match as the two teams headed into intermission.
Down 20-15 late in the third set, BU rallied as the Bruins tallied four of the next five points in order to get within a pair of points, 21-19.
After an EIU hitting error, the two teams stood squared at 22 late in the set.
After a pair of set point attempts, the Bruins were able to break through as an Eastern Illinois ball handling error ended the Bruins' successfule rally attempt as Belmont captured the set, 27-25, and went up two sets to one on the match.
Riding the momentum from their late rally in the third, the fourth set was all Belmont as the Bruins jumped out to a 9-1 advantage right out of the gate and never looked back, capturing the set, 25-17, and advancing to the program's second OVC Championship with a 3-1 victory over the Panthers.
Senior Scarlet Gable (Munford, Tenn.) led the way offensively with 18 kills while Person registered a double-double of 16 kills and 12 digs.
Libero Emily Richards (Penfield, N.Y.) led the Bruins with 15 digs while senior Alex Martin (Ooltewah, Tenn.) posted a .429 hitting percentage with 10 kills off 21 attacks.
Setter Emma Price (Fort Mill, S.C.) recorded a double-double with a match-high 46 assists to go along with 12 digs and four service aces.
EIU finished the season with a 15-16 record.
Belmont (19-13) is set to meet the tournament host and top-seeded Murray State in the finals tomorrow evening at 7 p.m. CT with a birth in the 2014 NCAA Tournament on the line.
The Bruins are 1-0 all time in OVC championship matches as Belmont defeated Morehead State, 3-1, on their way to capturing the 2012 OVC Tournament title.
