NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Belmont University volleyball team (10-2, 1-0) opened Missouri Valley Conference play with a 3–1 victory over Murray State Thursday night inside the Curb Event Center. Behind career milestones from senior standouts Lilly Lutz and Brooke Gilleland, the Bruins delivered a balanced performance to secure their 10th win of the season.
Murray State took the opening set, using its quick offense at the net to pull away late. Despite key contributions off the bench from Erin McMullen and Mialee Dabbelt, Belmont fell 25–19. Senior libero Lilly Lutz reached 1,000 career digs during the frame.
Belmont answered convincingly in set two. With steady ball control and sharp swings, the Bruins built an early lead and never looked back. Emily Warmenhoven and Bella Mathis powered the attack, while Lutz anchored serve receive as Belmont cruised to a 25–14 win to even the match.
The third set featured long rallies and momentum shifts. Warmenhoven dominated at the net, and Brooke Gilleland recorded her 1,000th career kill to spark the Bruins. After Murray State tied the score at 14–14, Belmont regrouped and surged ahead, closing on a run for a 25–18 victory.
The Bruins carried their energy into the fourth. Brenna Kauffeld opened the frame with a strong kill, Warmenhoven continued to deliver at the net, and a massive block from Alexia Smollen extended the lead to 16–11. Kauffeld added another key swing down the stretch before Belmont sealed the match with a 25–16 decision.
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Belmont continues conference play on Saturday, Sept. 27, traveling to Terre Haute, Indiana, to face Indiana State at 4 p.m. CT inside the Hulman Center. The match will stream live on ESPN+.
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