NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Belmont University volleyball team (9-1) defeated local rival Lipscomb, 3–1, Friday night in the annual Battle of the Boulevard at Allen Arena. The Bruins shook off a slow start and used a steady mix of offense, defense, and serving to secure their seventh straight victory.
Lipscomb controlled the opening frame, jumping out to a 9–3 lead and capitalizing on several Belmont miscues to take the set, 25–13. From there, the Bruins regrouped and seized momentum. A successful challenge on a Brooke Gilleland kill sparked a second-set surge that featured key rallies, timely digs from libero Lilly Lutz, and a big block by Bella Mathis and Alexia Smollen. Gilleland sealed the set with a powerful swing to even the match.
Belmont carried its energy into the third, using an early run to establish an 8–5 advantage. Brenna Kauffeld's sharp swings and Connie Koefod's well-placed tips kept the Bruins in control, while Lutz anchored the defense with steady play across the back row. Despite a late push by the Bisons, Gilleland and Koefod delivered the final points for a 25–22 win.
The Bruins left no doubt in the fourth. Strong backcourt play and touches at the net from Koefod and Gilleland helped Belmont pull ahead midway through the set, and Mathis' back-to-back aces highlighted an 8–0 run that broke the match open. A clutch block from Smollen set up match point, and Gilleland slammed the door with her 18th kill as Belmont wrapped up the rivalry triumph, 25–17.
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The Bruins return home on Saturday, Sept. 20, to host UC Irvine at 2 p.m. CT inside the Curb Event Center.
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