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Gilleland’s career-best outing lifts Bruins to 6-1 start
3
Winner Belmont BEL 6-1,0-0 MVC
2
Siena Siena 2-5,0-0 MAAC
Winner
Belmont BEL
6-1,0-0 MVC
3
Final
2
Siena Siena
2-5,0-0 MAAC
Set Scores
Team 1 2 3 4 5 F
Belmont BEL 20 25 25 23 15 (3)
Siena Siena 25 21 23 25 12 (2)

Game Recap: Volleyball |

Bruins Outlasts Siena in Five-Set Thriller

Gilleland’s career-best outing lifts Belmont to 6-1 start

LOUDONVILLE, N.Y. – The Belmont University volleyball team (6-1) battled past Siena, 3-2 (20-25, 25-21, 25-23, 23-25, 15-12), Friday morning to open the Clocktower Tournament in Loudonville, N.Y. The Bruins earned their sixth win of the season behind a career-best performance from senior outside hitter Brooke Gilleland, strong serving by sophomore defensive specialist Madison Lansdown, and key points from junior outside hitter Connie Kofoed. 

After Siena claimed the opening set, Belmont responded with steady blocking from Erin McMullen and Bella Mathis. Kills across the board from Brenna Kauffeld, Alexia Smollen, Mathis and Kofoed evened the match, 25-21. The third frame swung on Lansdown's serving runs, including back-to-back aces, which erased an early deficit and gave the Bruins momentum. Gilleland and Mathis delivered big swings down the stretch, with Gilleland's sharp angles leading the attack in a 25-23 win. 

The Saints forced a fifth by edging Belmont in a tight fourth set despite defensive grit from Lilly Lutz and kills throughout the lineup. In the decider, Siena pulled ahead 9-4, but Lansdown steadied the Bruins at the service line. After a timeout, Belmont began to gain momentum, rallying to tie the score at 12-12. Gilleland then made two crucial plays, a block to take the lead, followed by a kill to put the Bruins at match point. A Siena attack error on the next rally sealed the comeback, giving Belmont the set 15-12 and the match, 3-2. 

What's Bruin 

  • Brooke Gilleland recorded a career-high 27 kills – the most by a Belmont player since 2016 (Arianna Person, 28) and among the top 10 single-match kill totals nationally this season. 

  • Lilly Lutz anchored the defense with 28 digs. 

  • Belmont led Siena in points, kills, blocks, assists, and digs. 

Up Next 

Belmont continues play at the Clocktower Tournament on Saturday, Sept. 13, facing Columbia at 8:30 a.m. CT before meeting Stonehill at 11 a.m. CT. 

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. 

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