GRAND FORKS, N.D. – The Belmont University Volleyball Program (5-3, 0-0 MVC) secured a four-set win over Western Illinois (2-4, 0-0 OVC) on Friday. The Bruins are now 1-1 at the UND Classic.
How it Happened
The Bruins quickly fell behind in set one. Belmont later put together a 5-0 run featuring back-to-back kills from
Alivia Keegan to close the gap at 14-19. With a kill from
Brooke Gilleland, the Bruins later cut the deficit to one at 20-21. Despite the late push from Belmont, Western Illinois went on to take the first set 21-25.
WIU got off to another strong start in the second taking a 4-11 lead. Another kill from Gilleland would bring Belmont within one at 15-16 midway through the set. A pair of kills from
Bella Mathis and Keegan gave the Bruins a late lead at 22-21. With a block from
Kamryn Olson and Mathis, Belmont was able to edge out WIU to take the second 25-23.
Belmont built off the momentum from set two to open the third. An ace from Mathis gave the Bruins an early 9-5 lead. Set two continued to be a battle between the Bruins and Leathernecks. Belmont later put together a 4-0 run featuring a kill from
Brenna Kauffeld to extend the team's lead at 22-18. Kauffeld would get the final say with a kill as the Bruins claimed set three 25-21.
Set four went back-and-forth from the first serve. The Bruins were able to string together a three-point run to take their largest lead of the set at 15-13. Both teams continued to put up aggressive swings throughout the final set before Belmont finished the set and match on top 25-23.
Up Next
The Bruins will conclude tournament play against Western Illinois on Saturday at 10 a.m. CT. Follow live stats on belmontbruins.com.
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