NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Belmont University volleyball team (14-9, 11-1 MVC) earned its sixth consecutive victory Saturday afternoon, defeating UIC in five sets inside the Curb Event Center. The Bruins secured their first five-set victory of the season and second win over the Flames in program history, continuing their best start to Missouri Valley Conference play. 

Belmont vs. UIC (W, 3-1)

Belmont opened the match with strong offensive play from its middle hitters, as Erin McMullen and Lucy Kay helped the Bruins establish momentum at the net. Jordan Czajkowski delivered a service ace to give Belmont a 9-8 advantage, but the Flames continued to respond as both teams traded points throughout the opening set. A block from Kay and Alivia Keegan helped Belmont reach 20 points first with a 20-18 lead. UIC battled back to tie the score at 23-23 before Emily Warmenhoven delivered a kill to bring up set point. A Flames attack error sealed the opening frame, 25-23, in favor of the Bruins. 

UIC responded with an early run in the second set before Brenna Kauffeld ended the stretch with a block. Kauffeld followed with a three-point serving run that included an ace, while Kay added back-to-back kills to help Belmont regain momentum. Alexia Smollen entered the match to provide additional support at the net, and Sydnee Nelson delivered a solo block to tie the frame at 10-10. Bolton later sparked a four-point serving run, while Smollen and Nelson contributed key offensive swings as the teams continued to trade points. Despite Belmont's efforts, UIC found success and put together a late run to take the second set, 25-19.

The Bruins regained control in the third set, jumping out to an early lead behind strong blocking and offensive execution. Kay recorded a solo block to put Belmont ahead 6-2, while Kauffeld helped spark a five-point run that included two service aces as the Bruins extended their advantage to 20-13. Keegan added a key block, and Lauren Evans delivered an ace to push Belmont ahead 22-13. McMullen finished the frame with a kill to secure a 25-14 victory.

UIC came out strong in the fourth set, applying pressure at the net and finding openings in Belmont's defense. Kay continued to contribute with strong blocking touches, while Czajkowski helped spark another serving run as the Bruins worked to close the gap. The Flames maintained their advantage behind strong blocking and defensive play, however, taking the fourth set, 25-17, to force a decisive fifth frame. 

The fifth set featured a tight battle as both teams fought for control. McMullen opened with back-to-back kills to put Belmont ahead 3-2, but UIC responded with a run to build an advantage. Kauffeld delivered a key block to keep the Bruins within reach before Kofoed added two kills and Nelson followed with another to tie the score at 8-8. Nelson answered again with a kill to even the frame at 9-9, and Keegan delivered a block to give Belmont a 10-9 lead. The teams continued to trade points late, with McMullen tying the score at 13-13 before Kofoed delivered a kill to bring up match point. Kay finished the match with a kill, securing a 15-13 fifth-set victory.

What's Bruin

• Sydnee Nelson led the match with 15 kills and added nine digs. 
• Erin McMullen recorded 11 kills while hitting .536 and contributed five blocks. 
• Lucy Kay tallied nine kills and tied for the match high with six blocks. 
• Brenna Kauffeld added eight digs, three service aces, and tied for the match high with six blocks. 

Up Next 

Belmont heads to Iowa for a pair of Missouri Valley Conference road matches next weekend, beginning Friday, Nov. 6, against league-leading Northern Iowa at 6 p.m. CT inside the McLeod Center in Cedar Falls, Iowa. The Bruins will then travel to Des Moines for a matchup against Drake on Saturday, Nov. 7. 

Live coverage will be available on ESPN+, with live stats available through GoBelmontBruins.com. 

Follow @BelmontVB on X (Twitter) and @belmontvball on Instagram for complete coverage. Stay up to date with all Belmont Athletics through the official Belmont Bruins app, available in the Apple App Store and Google Play.