Box Score MURRAY, Ky. – Sophomore Arianna Person (Lenexa Kan.) posted a career high 30 kills and paced the Bruins to a four set victory over Tennessee Tech 25-17, 25-21, 23-25 and 26-24.
Senior Jocelyn Youngdahl (Stillwater, Minn.) recorded 10 kills on the evening followed by sophomore Brie Lewis (Stillwell, Kan.) with eight. Redshirt freshman Alexa Nichols (Walton, Ky.) held down the front row defense with nine total blocks while five Bruins recorded double digit digs. Redshirt sophomore Emma Price (Fort Mill, SC) recorded a double-double with 49 assists and 23 digs along with Person with her 30 kills and 15 digs.
Belmont started off set one strong rattling off five straights points with Youngdahl at the service line. The Bruins pushed their lead to 8-2 with Person recording four kills and an ace in those first eight points. The two teams traded off points until another three point run with Youngdahl at the service line put the Bruins up 15-7. Tech retaliated with three straight points but the Bruins would take control again and the teams would trade off points until Person put down her tenth kill of the match to close it out 25-17.
Set two started off with both teams taking points and the lead. A three point run from the Bruins put Belmont on top 8-7. Tech retook the lead after they recorded three straight points. Bruins went on a seven to two run going up 16-13. Both teams would take a few points and a late push from Tech tied the set at 21. But with Youngdahl at the service line, a huge solo block from Nichols and two more kills from Person, Belmont roped together four straight and took set two 25-21.
Belmont started off the third set strong roping together four straight points and led 6-2. The points went back and forth until five straight from Tech gave them their first lead of the set 14-11. Both teams would take a few points but another run from Tech gave them a five-point advantage at 20-15. A late six to two run from the Bruins brought them within one 23-24 but the comeback would fall just short as a kill from Tech closed out the set 25-23.
Belmont jumped out early in set four and took five of the first six points, consisting of four kills from the Bruins. The Bruins and the Eagles traded off points until a three-point run from the Bruins put them up 11-4. Tech retaliated with four straight closing the gap to four but a kill from Youngdahl ended their run. Both teams fought hard for points but six straight from the Eagles gave them a 16-14 lead. Nichols put down two straight to tie the set at 16. Points would be traded back and forth with Belmont maintaining the advantage. Set four would go into extra points but back-to-back kills from Person and Nichols closed out the set and match 26-24.
Belmont faces the winner of the second semi-final match between Tennessee State and Murray State tomorrow in the championship at 7:00 p.m. CT. Live video feed will be available on the OVC Digital Network as well as on ESPN3. Live stats will be available on belmontbruins.com or by clicking here!!
