NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Belmont University Volleyball Program opened the 2024 campaign against Butler and California Baptist on Saturday. The Bruins swept the Bulldogs (25-19, 25-21, 27-25) to start the day. Belmont later faced CBU in an evening matchup where the Bruins pulled off a reverse sweep (22-25, 23-25, 25-18, 25-14, 16-14) to finish opening weekend 2-0.
vs Butler (3-0)
Belmont got off to a strong start behind the play of
Bella Mathis. The middle blocker assisted on a block followed by a kill as the Bruins went up 8-5 early in the first set. Freshman
Alivia Keegan later served up back-to-back aces extending Belmont's lead to 11-6.
Brenna Kauffeld added a kill to spark a 5-0 run for the Bruins to break away at 18-9. Kauffled would later get the final say as Belmont secured a 25-19 first set win.
The Bruins built off their momentum in set one with a 6-0 run to start the second. Middle blocker
Lucy Kay got in on the action with a block assist and kill.
Brooke Gilleland led the way with four kills as Belmont continued to apply pressure and take a commanding 21-13 lead. Butler worked to close the gap at 23-20. After a pair of kills from Gilleland and Mathis, the Bruins finished the second on top 25-21.
Set three was a battle. Butler came out swinging to take an early 9-11 lead. Belmont started gaining momentum as
Emily Warmenhoven slammed down back-to-back kills midway through the set. Keegan stepped behind the service line adding two more aces to give the Bruins a late edge at 21-19. The Bulldogs pushed back to reclaim the lead at 22-23. Warmenhoven came up with two big kills to secure a gritty 27-25 set three win.
vs California Baptist (3-2)
Belmont and CBU went back and forth to start the match. A kill from Kay evened the score at 10 all. A 3-0 run would later push the Lancers ahead at 12-16. The Bruins continued to battle and close the gap at 19-20 off an ace by
Lilly Lutz. CBU would regain control and take a close first set 22-25.
The Bruins came out strong in the second. Keegan applied pressure behind the service line to propel Belmont to a 6-0 run and take a commanding 11-4 lead. The Lancers took back the momentum to eventually tie the set at 16 all. Both teams traded big swings and aggressive serves the rest of the set. CBU would eventually pull away to claim a 23-25 set two win.
Gilleland and Warmenhoven led the way as Belmont's offense took over in the third. The duo added four kills apiece while the Bruins worked to a 19-15 lead. Belmont continued to capitalize on CBU errors while taking big swings to take set three 25-18.
Belmont jumped out to a quick lead in the fourth. Back-to-back kills from Kay started a 4-0 run for the Bruins giving the team an early 10-3 lead. Belmont continued to feed Warmenhoven who would add three-straight kills to help secure a 25-14 set four win sending the game to a deciding five sets.
Kay continued to stand out in her Bruin debut with a kill and block assist to start the fiftht. Kauffeld later added two kills to give the Bruins an edge at 9-8.
Elizabeth Godfrey served up an ace to give Belmont set point. The Lancers wouldn't go down quietly. CBU fought to tie up the game at 14 all forcing extra points to decide the winner. Gilleland and Kauffeld called game with a pair of kills. The Bruins would take the fifth set and match 16-14.
What's Bruin
- Lilly Lutz recorded a career-high 22 digs versus CBU.
- Emily Warmenhoven recorded a career-high 15 kills against the Lancers.
- In her Bruin debut, Lucy Kay tallied 15 kills on a .343 hitting percentage.
- Kamryn Olson compiled 67 assists averaging 8.38 assists per set.
Up Next
Belmont will travel to Chattanooga, Tenn. to compete in the Chattanooga Tournament next Friday and Saturday. The Bruins will face Charleston Southern, Tennessee State, and host Chattanooga in tournament play.
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