Bruins Head to New York for Clocktower Tournament

LOUDONVILLE, N.Y. – The Belmont University volleyball program (5-1) is headed to New York for the Clocktower Tournament this weekend.

The Bruins open play against host Siena (2-4) on Friday, Sept. 12 at 10 a.m. CT inside the UHY Center. Belmont then faces Columbia (0-3) on Saturday, Sept. 13 at 8:30 a.m. CT, followed by Stonehill (0-7) at 11 a.m. CT.

All matches will be streamed live on Siena All-Access at SienaSaints.com.

What's Bruin 

• Belmont opened the 2025 season with a 1-3 loss at Vanderbilt, followed by back-to-back home wins over Seton Hall and UT Martin. 

• The Bruins went 3-0 at the Belmont Invitational with sweeps of Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Nicholls State, and Tennessee State, marking the program's first 15-0 consecutive set streak since 2015. 

• Belmont remains undefeated at home. 

• The Bruins have totaled 60 service aces compared to their opponents' 20, led by Brooke Gilleland (12) and Lilly Lutz (11). 

• Gilleland leads the attack with 72 kills (3.60 per set). 

• Gilleland was named MVP of the 2025 Belmont Invitational and earned All-Tournament Team honors, joined by teammates Lilly Lutz and Emily Warmenhoven. 

• Lutz anchors the defense with 86 digs (4.30 per set). 

• Setting duties are split between Jordan Czajkowski (103 assists) and Alivia Keegan (88 assists). 

• As a team, Belmont is hitting .282 while holding opponents to a .123 average. 

• The Bruins are led by first-year head coach Fritz Rosenberg. 

• Belmont is competing in its fourth season in the Missouri Valley Conference, finishing 11-19 overall and 6-12 in league play last year. 

• The Bruins have made four NCAA Tournament appearances (2006, 2008, 2012, 2015), twice pushing nationally ranked Louisville to four sets. 

• Program history includes signature wins over Mississippi State, Marquette, Virginia Tech, UCF, West Virginia, Boston College, Syracuse, DePaul, and UConn. 

The Saints 

• Siena is 2-4 after going 1-2 at both the Stony Brook Tournament and the Altoona Grand Red Flash Classic. 

• Three of the Saints' six matches this season have gone to five sets. 

• Doga Diraz leads the team with 80 kills and 13 blocks. 

• Alara Doganyuz has tallied 138 assists and leads the team defensively with 76 digs. 

• Diraz was named MAAC Player of the Week after recording 50 kills at the Altoona Classic, where she was also named to the All-Tournament Team. 

• Siena's roster features a balanced mix of experience, with nine returners and nine newcomers. 

• The Saints are led by first-year head coach Tyler Kanelos, the 10th head coach in program history. 

• Siena finished last season 6-24 overall and 5-13 in MAAC play. 

The Lions 

• Columbia is 0-3 after losses to New Haven, Northeastern, and Fordham at the Big Apple Tournament. 

• Elena Maynulet leads the team with 46 kills and six service aces. 

• Ruby van der Heide has distributed 75 assists. 

• Charlotte Gravlee has contributed 15 total blocks. 

• The Lions are led by fourth-year head coach Patric Santiago. 

• Columbia finished the 2024 season 4-19 overall and 1-13 in Ivy League play. 

The Skyhawks 

• Stonehill is 0-7 following three losses at the Iona Invitational and four defeats at the Towson/Morgan State Invitational. 

• Mia Berardino leads the offense with 75 kills. 

• Kendra Sawyer has dished out a team-high 155 assists. 

• Suzie Ponce leads the team with 63 digs. 

• The Skyhawks are led by Craig Martin, now in his seventh season as head coach. 

• Stonehill finished last season 7-19 overall and 3-11 in NEC play. 

Follow Along 

Watch Live: Siena All-Access at SienaSaints.com/watch 
Follow Live Stats: SienaSaints.com/sidearmstats 

Follow Belmont volleyball on social media — @BelmontVB on Twitter and @belmontvball on Instagram — for complete coverage of the Bruins. Stay up to date with all Belmont athletic programs via the official Belmont Bruins app, available in the Apple App Store and on Google Play.