Bruins Set for Battle of the Boulevard and Host UC Irvine This Weekend

Belmont at Lipscomb 
Friday, Sept. 19 | 6 p.m. CT 
Allen Arena | Nashville Tenn.  

Belmont vs. UC Irvine 
Saturday, Sept. 20 | 2 p.m. CT 
Curb Event Center | Nashville Tenn. 
 

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Belmont University volleyball is set for a weekend of non-conference action, beginning with the Battle of the Boulevard against local rival Lipscomb on Friday, Sept. 16, at 6 p.m. CT at Allen Arena. 

The Bruins will then return to the Curb Event Center to host UC Irvine on Saturday, Sept. 20, at 2 p.m. CT. 

Both matches will stream live on ESPN+. 

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. 

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

• Belmont remained hot at the Clocktower Tournament, going 3-0 with five-set wins over Siena and Columbia and a sweep of Stonehill. 

• Brenna Kauffeld was named MVP of the Clocktower Tournament, while Brooke Gilleland and Lilly Lutz received All-Tournament recognition. 

• The Bruins are riding their longest win streak since a nine-match stretch from Oct. 11–Nov. 8, 2013, and remain undefeated at home. 

• Brooke Gilleland leads the attack with 117 kills (3.66 per set) and recorded a career-high 27 kills against Siena. 

• Lutz anchors the defense with 136 digs (4.12 per set). 

• Setting duties are split between Jordan Czajkowski (182 assists) and Alivia Keegan (150 assists). 

• As a team, Belmont is hitting .276 while holding opponents to a .160 average 

• The Bruins have totaled 83 service aces compared to opponents' 39 — led by Gilleland (18) and Czajkowski (14). 

• Gilleland was named Belmont's September Student-Athlete of the Month. 

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

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

• Program history includes four NCAA Tournament appearances (2006, 2008, 2012, 2015), twice pushing nationally ranked Louisville to four sets, with signature wins over Mississippi State, Marquette, Virginia Tech, UCF, West Virginia, Boston College, Syracuse, DePaul, and UConn. 

About The Bison 

• Lipscomb is 3-5 after going 1-2 at the LUV Invitational, 0-2 at the Lippy Invitational, and posting wins over Tennessee State and Cal State Northridge (with a loss to Pepperdine). 

• The Bison have faced three ranked opponents in the preseason: No. 1 Nebraska, No. 7 Kentucky, and No. 14 Minnesota. 

• Senior setter Sophia Hudepohl was named ASUN Setter of the Week on Sept. 15 and ranks 67th nationally in assists per set (272 total). 

• Freshman middle blocker Sydney Strenger earned ASUN Freshman of the Week honors Sept. 2 and has 45 kills this season. 

• Courtney Jones, a preseason All-ASUN selection, leads Lipscomb with 96 kills, 52 digs, and 10 service aces. 

• Hudepohl was also the league's unanimous preseason choice for Setter of the Year. 

• The Bison are led by head coach Brandon Rosenthal, entering his 23rd season with the program. 

• Lipscomb finished last season 19-11 overall and 14-2 in ASUN play. 

About The Anteaters 

• UC Irvine is 4-5 after going 2-3 at the Wildcat Invitational, 1-2 at the Anteater Classic, and 1-2 at the Asics Invitational. 

• The Anteaters' 2025 roster was strengthened by Big West transfers Madison Triplett, Sydnee Rowe, and Lois Hansen. 

• Senior libero Campbell Jensen, a preseason All-Big West pick, leads the defense with 139 digs (4.21 per set). 

• Senior outside hitter Kendra Duffey paces the offense with 77 kills (2.57 per set). 

• Junior setter Nicole Feliciano has tallied 206 assists (6.65 per set). 

• UC Irvine is led by head coach Ashlie Hain, entering her 10th season. 

• The Anteaters finished the 2024 campaign 16-14 overall and 10-8 in Big West play. 

Follow Along 

Both matches will stream live on ESPN+  
Live stats are available at BelmontBruins.com 

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.