Box Score BOX SCORE SEASON STATS
MUNCIE, Ind. – Belmont's comeback effort against the Cardinals falls just shy of a win. After dropping the first two sets the Bruins came back fighting taking the match to five. Ultimately the Bruins dropped the fifth set 11-15 losing the final match of the day 2-3. Final scores were 18-25, 14-25, 25-23, 25-21 and 11-15.
Redshirt Junior Jessica Vestal (Concord, Calif.) tallied eight kills on 21 attempts with only two errors for an average of .286, while Sophomore Brie Lewis (Stillwell, Kan.) rallied for 13 kills, tying her career high, on 31 attempts with only 4 errors for an average of .290. Sophomore Arianna Person (Lenexa, Kan.) led the Bruins with 29 digs in the contest.
The match against Ball State gave the freshman a chance to play in their first collegiate match. Freshman Tori Simmons (Murfreesboro, Tenn.) received 12 serves and notched five digs in two sets. Freshman Maggie Mullins (Nashville, Tenn.) recorded three kills in two sets of her collegiate debut. Also freshman Courtlyn Ison (Ooltewah, Tenn.) recorded two kills on five attempts, an average of .200, after two sets.
The Bruins fall in the first set against the Ball State Cardinals 25-18. After falling to 10-6, the Bruins pulled within one after a 3-0 run highlighted by Senior Jocelyn Youngdahl (Stillwater, Minn.) at the service line. From that point on the Bruins were unable to close the gap and gain the lead. Senior Regan Kennamer (Huntsville, Ala.) tallied up four kills on five attempts to lead the offense in the first set.
Belmont's slow start continues into the second set. Ball state pulled ahead 8-4 and never looked back. Freshman Mullins tallied three kills in the second set, Cardinals closed out the set at 25-14.
The Bruins come out of the locker room with a whole new attitude in the third set. After a battle for the lead Belmont comes out on top 25-23. After once again falling in the beginning of the set the Bruins take the lead at 12-11 and never looked back. In the last 6 points the Bruins saw an ace by Sophomore Ellie Ivancich (Naperville, Ill.) and two kills and an ace from Sophomore Brie Lewis (Stillwell, Kan.) to close out the set. Lewis had four kills on five attempts and one error hitting .600 in the third set.
Belmont's momentum continued into the fourth set as the Bruins take a 10-2 lead to start the game. The first ten points was highlighted by three service aces from Sophomore Arianna Person (Lenexa, Kan.) and an ace by Ivancich. After pulling away to a 21-8 lead the Cardinals lace together a 10-0 run to bring the game within three. The Bruins weren't fazed by this run as they take set four 25-21 tying up the match at two sets a piece. Belmont put up six aces in the set.
After coming back from a 0-2 deficit the Cardinals final put the end to an intense match winning the 5th set 15-11. It was a point-for-point battle up until 10-10 when Ball State took charged and finished out the set. Belmont hit a match high .207 in set five as well as tallying up 10 aces throughout the match.
Next up the Bruins have the University of Albany tomorrow morning, August 29, at 4:00et/3:00ct. Live stats will be available on belmontbruins.com
