Box Score NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Belmont volleyball (6-9, 3-1 OVC) took home another victory in four sets against Eastern Illinois (8-10, 3-1 OVC) 25-13, 19-25, 25-17 and 25-19 Saturday afternoon from the Curb Event Center.
Sophomore Arianna Person (Lenexa, Kan.) led the offensive effort recording a double double with 17 kills and 10 digs. Sophomore Brie Lewis (Stillwell, Kan.) and redshirt sophomore Emma Price (Fort Mill, SC) also recorded a double double in the match.
"This was a good way to bounce back from Tuesday's match against Tennessee State," said Head Coach Tony Howell. "It was an overall solid match with a complete offensive showing, and the aggressive serving really paid off this afternoon."
An ace from Price and Person gave Belmont an early 8-4 lead in set one. Belmont continued its aggressive offense with kills from Lewis and senior Jocelyn Youngdahl (Stillwater, Minn.) and took a 10-5 lead. Bruins went on a 6-2 run taking a 16-7 lead highlighted by kills from Youngdahl, Person and Price as well as an ace from sophomore Ellie Ivancich (Naperville, Ill.). Kills from Person and redshirt freshman Alexa Nichols (Walton, Ky.) and two aces from Price gave Belmont a 23-11 advantage. A service error by Eastern Illinois gave Belmont set one 25-13.
The Bruins and Panthers went point-for-point to start set two until a kill and an ace from the Panthers gave them a 9-6 point lead in set two. After trailing 13-9 the Bruins roped together a strand of points to come within one 12-13. The two squads continued to exchange points but EIU managed to hold the lead. EIU turned on the offense and took a 22-16 lead. Panthers held their lead taking set two 25-19 which locked the teams in a set apiece.
An early 5-1 run highlighted by kills from Lewis, freshman Tori Simmons (Murfreesboro, Tenn.) and Price gave Belmont a 9-5 lead in set three. Belmont and EIU played tug-of-war for points in the middle of set three but Belmont held at least a four-point lead for most of the battle. Belmont went on a 6-1 run and took a 19-11 lead aided by a few errors from EIU. Belmont and EIU traded points until the Bruins took home set three 25-17 with a kill from Nichols.
Belmont jumped out to a quick 7-3 lead in set four highlighted by aces from Ivancich, Youngdahl and Price. A kill from Nichols and Belmont's 14th ace of the match gave the Bruins a five-point lead 11-6. Belmont and EIU went back and forth for points for the remainder of set four. Kills from Nichols and Person end the set 25-19.
The Bruins ended the afternoon with 14 aces and 54 total kills. Price led from the service line with five aces while sophomore Emily Richards (Penfield, N.Y.) led the defensive effort with 19 kills. Five players from Belmont finished the night with at least one block as well as five players recorded at least one ace. The Bruins closed out the match with a .255 team hitting percentage.
Belmont returns to action Friday, Oct. 9 versus Tennessee Tech. First serve is set for 6 p.m. CT from the Curb Event Center. The match will be broadcast live on the OVC Digital Network.
