CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – The Belmont University Volleyball Program (4-0, 0-0 MVC) opened the Chattanooga Tournament against Charleston Southern (1-4, 0-0 Big South) and Tennessee State (0-4, 0-0 OVC). The Bruins picked up two wins extending their win streak to four. This marks the best start to the season for Belmont since 2016.
vs Charleston Southern (25-23, 25-18, 23-25, 25-16)
Belmont's aggressive serving game put the team ahead to start the match.
Lilly Lutz served up back-to-back aces before
Madison Lansdown added another one to give the Bruins a 5-2 lead. Charleston Southern would go on a run to claim a 9-12 lead midway through the set. With a kill from
Emily Warmenhoven, Belmont took the lead back over at 20-19. The Bruins put together a 4-0 run capped off by a block from
Bella Mathis and Warmenhoven to give the team set point. The Buccaneers fought back, but the Bruins ultimately finished on top 25-23.
The Bruins settled into the game staying on top of Charleston Southern in set two.
Lucy Kay added a pair of kills as Belmont held a 16-14 lead halfway through the second. Belmont later put together an impressive 6-0 run featuring back-to-back aces by
Elizabeth Godfrey to take a commanding 23-16 lead. A kill from
Brooke Gilleland sealed the deal as the Bruins claimed set two 25-18.
The Buccaneers showed no signs of quitting while jumping out to a 10-15 lead in the third. Mathis and Warmenhoven teamed up for another block to keep the Bruins within five at 14-19. Belmont continued to take big swings and later tied it up at 22 all off a kill from
Mialee Dabbelt. Charleston Southern would eventually edge out Belmont 23-25 sending the match to four sets.
The fourth set was back-and-forth to start. The Bruins later went on a 4-0 run capped off by a kill from Gilleland to take control of the set at 13-8. Belmont continued to push the pace and play a balanced offense to claim set four and the match 25-16.
vs TSU (24-26, 25-18, 25-15, 25-22)
The Bruins got off to a hot start in the second match of the day. Gilleland served back-to-back aces giving Belmont an early 7-3 lead. Tennessee State later put together a run to take the lead at 14-18. Warmenhoven recorded a kill giving the Bruins a late 22-21 edge. TSU eventually pulled away with a 24-26 set one win.
Belmont came out swinging in the second. Mathis tallied three-straight kills giving the Bruins a 13-8 lead. The middle blocker also played a key role in the Bruins' defensive game during set two. With a solo block, Mathis kept Belmont ahead at 19-15. The Bruins would go on to claim set two 25-18.
The third set was a battle before the Bruins went on a huge 9-0 run featuring back-to-back aces again for Gilleland and two kills from
Brenna Kauffeld. Belmont continued to control the set and with a kill from Kay, the Bruins took a commanding 21-12 lead. Kauffeld and Mathis teamed up for a block to finish off the set giving Belmont a 25-15 set three win.
The final set of the day was a close fight between the teams. TSU put together a run midway through the set to take a 11-12 lead. Belmont went on a small run of their own highlighting a block from
Kamryn Olson and Kay to reclaim the lead at 17-14. Setter
Alivia Keegan got in on the attacking action with two kills to help the Bruins secure a set and match win 25-22.
Up Next
Belmont will conclude tournament play against host Chattanooga (5-1, 0-0 SoCon) on Saturday at 1 p.m. CT. Watch live on ESPN+ or follow live stats on belmontbruins.com.
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