Box Score NASHVILLE, Tenn.- Belmont notches first win of the season in front of a crowd of 470 spectators with a 3-1 victory over the University of Texas El Paso. After dropping a heartbreaking first set 26-24 the Bruins came back winning the next three 25-21, 25-23, and 25-19. Belmont is now 1-4 on the season.
Sophomore Arianna Person (Lenexa, Kan.) recorded a career-high 22 kills, hitting for an average of .236 in the match, while Sophomore Emily Richards (Penfield, N.Y.) also set a career-high record with 18 digs on the match. Sophomore Emma Price (Fort Mill, SC) recorded eight kills and 49 assists to conclude the match. Senior Jocelyn Youngdahl (Stillwater, Minn.) led the teams attacking percentage on the night hitting for an average of .267.
It was an all around defensive effort with five players recording 12 or more digs. Sophomore Ellie Ivancich (Naperville, Ill.) led the effort with 20 digs. The team as a whole recorded 89 digs and nine blocks defensively on the match.
Belmont started the match off strong taking an early 10-6 lead. In the first 10 points the Bruins have recorded two service aces, two blocks and five kills. UTEP strings together seven in a row to take a 13-11 lead. Belmont comes within two after a kill and ace by Sophomore Brie Lewis (Stillwell, Kan.). With four kills by Person, and a block by Person and Redshirt Freshman Alexa Nichols (Walton, KY.) Belmont ties it up at 23. With a solid block and kill by UTEP the Miners take the set 26-24.
The Bruins and Miners battled point for point until UTEP takes the lead 12-8. All eight of Belmont's points so far this set have been off of kills. With Lewis at the service line the Bruins rope together a block by Freshman Maggie Mullins (Nashville, Tenn.) and a kill by Senior Jocelyn Youngdahl (Stillwater, Minn.) to tie it up at 15. Two huge kills by Person gave Belmont the lead 20-18. Belmont closes out set two 25-21 with four kills by three separate players, Mullins, Nichols and Youngdahl. Belmont hit for an average of .348 in the second set.
Bruins took the early lead 7-5 when UTEP put together a 7-0 run to go up 12-7 streak was ended by a well placed tip by Person. A 3-0 run with Person at the service line brings the Bruins within one at 15-14. A kill by Mullins and an ace by Ivancich gave the Bruins the lead. Belmont takes set three 25-23 after two kills by Person.
With momentum on their side and some scrappy defense by Richards the Bruins take an early 10-7 lead. Belmont pushes the lead to 15-10 with Ivancich at the service line and a few attacking errors by UTEP. After two big kills in the last six points by Youngdahl Belmont pulls ahead to 23-17 with her at the service line. With a career high 22nd kill and an ace by Price the Bruins take the match and first victory of the season with a score of 25-19.
