Volleyball Wins Five-Set Thriller Against Evansville

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The Belmont University Volleyball Program (9-17, 4-10 MVC) came back from a 0-2 deficit to top Evansville (6-20, 5-9 MVC) in five-set thriller Thursday night.
 
How it Happened
Evansville jumped out ahead early in set one. Brooke Gilleland came up with two big kills for the Bruins to even the score at 17 all. Brenna Kauffeld later added a kill to keep Belmont within one at 19-20. The Aces went on a late run to take the first 19-25.
 
Set two was a close battle. With another kill from Gilleland, Belmont took a 12-10 lead midway through the set. Evansville would then go on a run to reclaim the lead. Kauffeld later put the ball away to keep the Bruins close at 18-19. Kristen Clemons recorded two blocks down the stretch before the Aces would go on to claim the second 22-25.
 
It was all Belmont in the third. The Bruins put together an early run featuring an ace from Madison Lansdown to take an 11-6 lead. A kill from Alivia Keegan later sparked a 7-0 run giving Belmont their largest lead at 22-10. Bella Mathis and Kamryn Olson teamed up for a block to seal the set for the Bruins 25-13.
 
The Bruins built off their momentum to take control early in set four. Clemons recorded a block and kill as Belmont took a commanding 12-5 lead. Keegan added another pair of kills late in the set as the Bruins went on to take the fourth 25-22 to force a deciding fifth set. 
 
In a quick set to 15, Belmont pushed to take an early lead. Clemons added a kill as the Bruins went up 9-4. Evansville worked their way back in the set at 10-7. With her 13th kill of the night, Keegan helped Belmont secure set five and the match 15-12.
 
Follow Along
The Bruins will face Indiana State (4-21, 1-12 MVC) on Friday at 5 p.m. CT. Watch live on ESPN+ or follow live stats on belmontbruins.com. 
 
Follow Belmont volleyball on social media - @BelmontVB  on Twitter, @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.