Box Score NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Despite forcing the match into a fourth set, Belmont University Volleyball was unable to upend its long-time rival Lipscomb on Tuesday night on the opposite end of the Boulevard. The Bruins (11-8) fell to the Bisons (13-7), 3-1 (21-25, 25-23, 14-25, 17-25).
Photo courtesy Mike Strasinger/SportsNashville.net
The first frame between the long-time foes opened with a fast back-and-forth battle before the Bisons grabbed the upper hand. After capitalizing on a pair of attack errors by Belmont, Lipscomb began to pull slowly away. BU called timeout as the Bisons went up, 13-9, however, Lipscomb kept piling on the points. The bruins rallied behind a kill by redshirt sophomore Alexa Nichols (Walton, Ky.) and a service ace by junior Brie Lewis (Stillwell, Kan.) to make it a two-point game, 13-11. However, LU rebounded and rolled off four straight points to force Belmont to call its final timeout of the set, down 17-11. The Bruins were able to inch as close as four points before LU fought off Belmont for the final few points to take set one, 25-21.
The second set started slowly for both teams with each racking up consecutive service errors to the tune of six points. Finally, Belmont was able to break out of the molasses and pulled away 13-8, forcing the Bisons to burn their first timeout of the match. Lipscomb surged and moved to within one point, 14-13, and this time it would be the Bruins seeking the respite of a timeout. BU rebounded but LU kept in step and went up, 21-19. Back-to-back kills by Maggie Mullins (Nashville, Tenn.) and Nichols made it a one point set again, this time, 22-21. Lipscomb called timeout but Belmont surged once more with sophomore Tori Simmons (Murfreesboro, Tenn.) behind the service line. Taking advantage of two attack errors, Belmont was poised to take the set and used a kill by Person to take the set, 25-23.
BU struggled to find an offensive rhythm in the third set. Belmont called timeout to regroup after LU went up 19-11. Unfortunately, the Bruins were never able to grab a lead in the stanza despite kills by junior Emma Price (Fort Mill, S.C.), Mullins and Nichols. Lipscomb pulled away 19-11 behind four consecutive points. Even with a called timeout, it was too little too late for BU as the Bisons rolled to the 25-14 win in set three.
The Bruins had a slow start to the fourth stanza but quickly knotted the score three times before LU went ahead by one, 7-6. Belmont remained within striking distance through the midpoint of the set and tied the score three more times, this time stopping at 15-15 with a Bisons attack error. Lipscomb rolled off four straight points to take a 19-15 lead. Even with a called timeout, Belmont was unable to get a foothold in the lead. BU was only able to add two more total points, thanks to a service ace by Lewis and another LU attack error. A pair of kills sealed the set, 25-17, as Lipscomb took the match, 3-1.
Person led the Bruins with 10 kills, while Price added 24 assists in the effort. Price and Person each finished with nine digs while junior Ellie Ivancich (Naperville, Ill.) added a match-high 11. Lewis collected three service aces and a solo block, her first of the season, and Nichols recorded four block assists.
Belmont returns to action on Friday in the Curb Event Center. The Bruins host in-state rival Austin Peay beginning at 6 p.m. The contest can be seen live on the OVC Digital Network and live stats will be available. Fans may also follow the team's Twitter account (@BelmontVB) for live, in-game updates.
