NASHVILLE, Tenn. – After a hot start on the road, Belmont Volleyball enters the friendly confines of the Curb Event Center to host its own tournament this weekend. The Bruins welcome Georgia State, Mercer and William & Mary for the annual Bruiser Showcase.
Bruiser Showcase Tournament Central
Mercer comes to Nashville with a 1-2 mark after a turn at the Charlotte Invitational. The Bears are led in hitting by Morgan MacGilvary, Heather Swann and Paige Alsten, who have 31, 29 and 28 kills, respectively. Hannah Noon leads in assists with a total of 64 while Tori Penrod leads in digs with a total of 64.
Belmont leads the all-time series, 11-5. The former conference foes have not faced since the 2011 season when BU won 3-1 in Macon.
William & Mary bring a 1-2 record to the Volunteer state after the first week of play. The Tribe are led in hitting by Heather Pippus's 44 kills. Gabrielle Pe leads in digs with a total of 58 while Autumn Brenner, the newly crowned CAA Rookie of the Week, leads in assists with a total of 132.
The programs have only met once before, back in 2003, with the Tribe winning 3-1 in Williamsburg, Va.
Georgia State went 2-1 at the JMU Invitational to open the season. After those first three games, the Panthers are led in kills by Kristina Stinson who tallied 26. Sarah Renner leads the team in assists with a total of 105 while Celeste Friesen with a total of 49.
GSU leads the all-time series, 6-3. The programs last met in 2007 with BU winning 3-1 at a neutral site.
The Bruins enter the Bruiser Showcase standing at 3-0 after winning the Memphis Invitational title. BU saw two players named to the All-Tournament team in juniors Arianna Person (Lenexa, Kan.) and Emma Price (Fort Mill, S.C.). Price was also crowned the tournament's Most Outstanding Player.
All matches will have live stats available. Contests that Belmont are playing in will be broadcast live on the OVC Digital Network. Fans may also follow the team's Twitter account (@BelmontVB) for live, in-game updates.
On Friday, fans are encouraged to spend their lunch break for "Take a Break with the Bruins" at 12:30 p.m.
The match will feature:
• Popsicles for the first 100 fans
• An acoustic set played by senior songwriting major, Becca Tremmel during intermission
• Drawing for a FREE Chick-fil-a lunch in the Curb Café
• Signed mini-volleyballs, team posters, schedule cards and more
Before Belmont returns to the court for its second game at 6 p.m., fans can stop by the Pre-Game Block Party with free food outside the Atrium to kick off the 2016 season and celebrate National College Colors Day. All those in attendance wearing red or blue will have a chance to serve for $500 during intermission.
