Box Score EUGENE, Ore. -- Late rallies fell just shy again for Belmont Volleyball (6-4) on the final day of the Oregon Nike Invitational. The Bruins were held off by host-Oregon (6-2), 3-0 (19-25, 18-25, 17-25).
After trailing early, the Bruins were able to knot the score 6-6 after a Ducks ball handing error and a service ace by junior Arianna Person (Lenexa, Kan.). Oregon surged ahead and went up 15-10, forcing the Bruins to call timeout. Belmont dug its heels in down the stretch and rolled off four straight points to close the gap to five, 21-16.
The Ducks pulled ahead 5-2 to open the second set but the Bruins began to rally behind a kill into the left corner by sophomore Maggie Mullins (Nashville, Tenn.). Belmont remained within striking distance through the midpoint of the set. Oregon used Bruin attack errors to momentarily put space between the teams. A kill by junior Brie Lewis (Stillwell, Kan.) tightened the differential to just two points, 17-15. However, UO railed off three straight points to go up, 21-16. It was all Ducks down the stretch as they went on to take the set, 25-18.
Belmont came out hot to start the third frame, knotting the score 4-4. The Bruins kept pressing and used back-to-back kills by Mullins and a block by sophomore Courtlyn Ison (Ooltewah, Tenn.) and junior Brie Lewis (Stillwell, Kan.) to take the lead, 11-9. Suddenly, the BU rally appeared to stall after rallying to four ties. The Ducks went up, 17-14, and did not look back after adding five straight points. Ison notched a kill late but it was not enough as UO took the set, 25-17.
Person finished with a team-high nine kills, while junior Emma Price (Fort Mill, S.C.) recorded a match-high 28 assists. Ellie Ivancich (Naperville, Ill.) tallied a match-high 21 digs. Lewis finished with a pair of service aces.
For her efforts, Price was named to the All-Tournament Team.
Belmont returns to action on Tuesday, September 20 at the Curb Event Center. The Bruins open OVC play hosting crosstown rival Tennessee State. Match time is set for 6 pm CT. Live stats will be available and the match will be broadcast live on the OVC Digital Network. Fans may also follow the team's Twitter account (@BelmontVB) for live, in-game updates.
2016 Oregon Nike Invitational Photo Gallery
