Volleyball Defeated by CSU Bakersfield

PULLMAN, Wash. -- The Belmont University volleyball team dropped their final contest of the Cougar Challenge on Saturday, falling 3-1 to California State University at Bakersfield inside Bohler Gym in Pullman, Washington. 

Belmont (1-6, 0-0 MVC) was defeated by CSU Bakersfield (2-4, 0-0 Big West), 23-25, 25-20, 12-25, 22-25. 

The Bruins picked up 11 service aces on the day, the second-highest total of the season, including a career-high four from Ally Peterson and a career-high three from Rachel Bride, but it wasn't enough as the Roadrunners took the final two sets for a 3-1 victory. 

Laura Shoopman was selected to the All-Tournament team after collecting 41 kills and 26 digs on the weekend, including nine kills on Saturday. 

Lilly Lutz dished out 22 assists, and Erina Shin picked up her first career kill and first career dig while seeing time at setter in three of the four sets. 

Rachel McBride finished with a season-high 20 digs in the loss. 

Belmont erupted with a 10-2 run to start the first frame, but CSU Bakersfield battled back and tied things at 16-16. A Shoopman kill kept Belmont within a point at 21-22, but the Roadrunners closed the door thanks in part to a Bruin service error and one final kill. 

The Bruins hit .265 with 13 kills in the second set on the way to a 25-20 victory. Kristen Clemons was dangerously efficient on the attack, picking up four kills on just six swings to help lead the charge. A pair of aces from both McBride and Peterson helped the Bruins keep their foot on the gas pedal to tie the match up at a set apiece. 

After CSU Bakersfield rolled in the third set, Belmont showed fight in the fourth set as they tried to force a decisive fifth frame. The Bruins led 18-15 late following back-to-back attack errors from the Roadrunners, but were unable to close things out, as CSU Bakersfield made the necessary plays down the stretch to win, 25-22. 

Laura Shoopman has been named to the All-Tournament team after a standout weekend at the Cougar Challenge!

?? 41 kills
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?? 5 blocks@laura_shoop | #ItsBruinTime pic.twitter.com/AeG9NRlkWs

— Belmont Volleyball (@BelmontVB) September 3, 2022

Up Next 

Belmont will compete in the Blue Raider Invitational in Murfreesboro next weekend, facing UT Martin and host Middle Tennessee on Friday, Sept. 9 and closing out the weekend against Grambling State on Saturday, Sept. 10. 

Follow Belmont volleyball on social media - @BelmontVB on Twitter and @belmontvball on Instagram - for complete coverage of the Bruins. Stay up to date with all of Belmont's athletic programs via the official app of the Belmont Bruins, available both in the Apple App Store and on Google Play.            
                 

#ItsBruinTime