Volleyball Falls in Marathon Five Set Match

PEORIA, Ill. – The Belmont University Volleyball Program (5-8, 0-1 MVC) opened the conference season against Bradley (6-7, 1-0 MVC) Friday night. The Bruins ultimately fell in five close sets (25-19, 27-29, 26-28, 26-24, 10-15).
 
How it Happened
Belmont came out strong in the first set. With a kill from Brooke Gilleland, the Bruins took an early 7-4 lead. The Bruins continued to run a balanced offense, with three hitters recording four kills, to take the first set 25-19.
 
The Bruins got off to another hot start in the second. Brenna Kauffeld put down back-to-back kills to give Belmont an 11-6 lead. Bradley battled back to take over the lead at 15-17. Elizabeth Godfrey later served an ace to even the score at 23 all. Down the stretch, the Bruins recorded an unforced error sending the set to extra points. The Braves took the second 27-29 to even the match at one set apiece. 
 
Gilleland tallied two straight kills to cap off a huge run for the Bruins to start the third. Lucy Kay extended Belmont's lead at 13-7 with a kill. Bradley made another late comeback and eventually claimed the third set 26-28.
 
Belmont wouldn't go out quietly. With her second ace of the night, Godfrey pushed the Bruins to a 17-12 lead in the fourth. The Braves made another attempt to come back, but a kill from Kauffeld would end their run at 23-21. The Bruins went on to take the fourth 26-24 and send the match to a deciding fifth set.
 
In a shortened fifth set, the Bruins got off to a slow start. Kauffeld tallied another kill to bring Belmont within two at 6-8. Bradley would go on to claim the fifth set and match 10-15.
 
Up Next
Belmont will play Illinois State (5-9, 0-1 MVC) on Saturday at 7:30 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.