DES MOINES, Iowa – The Belmont University volleyball team (17–11, 8–8) opened the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament with a hard-fought effort Wednesday night, pushing third-seeded Drake to five sets before falling 3–2 inside the Knapp Center. The Bruins battled back from an early deficit to claim the second and third frames, ultimately dropping the match by scores of 13–25, 25–20, 26–24, 19–25, and 8–15.Â
After a slow offensive start in set one, highlighted by strong touches at the net from Alexia Smollen and Brenna Kauffeld, Belmont regrouped and took control in the second behind a serving run from Madison Lansdown, consistent swings from Brooke Gilleland and Connie Kofoed, and steady back-row play from Lilly Lutz.Â
The Bruins continued their momentum in the third, using a big early block from Smollen and a dominant scoring stretch from Gilleland to build a six-point lead. Drake rallied late, but Belmont responded with clutch execution to secure a 26–24 win and a 2–1 match advantage.Â
Drake answered with a strong fourth set, using a pivotal 5–0 run to regain control before forcing a fifth. The Bulldogs opened the deciding frame on a 4–0 push, though Belmont battled back behind Lutz's elite defensive effort. Drake, however, closed on a late surge to take the set 15–8 and advance.Â
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