Box Score NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- A late surge was not enough to lift Belmont Volleyball in the annual Battle of the Boulevard duel with long-time Lipscomb. The Bisons (5-4) held off Belmont (0-9), 3-0, on Tuesday night.
After trading points to open, Belmont was the first to call timeout between the long-time foes after falling behind 10-5 early. The Bisons did not let up and used an 8-0 run to pull ahead by double digits for the first time in the set, 17-7, and BU burned its second timeout. Unfortunately, Belmont could inch no closer than that 10-point differential and fell, 25-11.
The start of the second frame was a different story with the Bruins hot on both sides of the ball. However, the Bisons were able to rebound from the early deficit and build a five-point differential, 13-8, forcing Belmont to use a timeout. BU worked to stay within striking distance down the stretch, closing the gap to as few as four, 14-10. Suddenly, Lipscomb exploded and pulled ahead, 22-16, forcing the Bruins to call another huddle session. BU was only able to add another point behind a kill by freshman Mary Catherine Ball (Hendersonville, N.C.) as Lipscomb went on to take the set, 25-17.
Lipscomb got out to a hot start in the third frame, pulling away 9-3 early and forcing Belmont to burn a timeout. The Bruins began a rally, behind a call reversed thanks to replay, and slowly started to narrow the gap. Unfortunately, the spark was short lived as the Bisons surged ahead once again. BU burned its final timeout as it fell behind, 17-8, despite a pair of kills by senior Alexa Nichols (Walton, Ky.). Lipscomb continued to outscore the Bruins down the stretch even with kills coming from Nichols and classmate Maggie Mullins (Nashville, Tenn.). It turned out to not be enough as Belmont fell, 25-10.
Mullins and Nichols led the Bruins with six kills apiece. Sophomore Akia Warrior (Ft. Worth, Texas) finished with 14 assists while senior Haley Sullivan (Lemont, Ill.) tallied eight digs.
Belmont returns to action this weekend at the Maverick Invitational, hosted by UT-Arlington, September 14-15. Live stats and video will be available for all matches. Fans may also follow the team's Twitter account (@BelmontVB) for live, in-game updates.
