CHICAGO, Ill. – The Belmont University volleyball team (5-8, 2-0) continued its strong opening weekend of Missouri Valley Conference play Saturday, sweeping UIC, 3-0, at Credit Union 1 Arena. The victory marked Belmont's first win over UIC in program history, its first sweep of the season and moved the Bruins to 2-0 in conference play and 2-0 on the road. 

Belmont vs. UIC 

The Bruins battled UIC through the early stages of the opening set, playing to an 8-8 tie before beginning to pull away. A block from Brenna Kauffeld followed by an Erin McMullen kill helped Belmont establish its advantage, while an overpass kill from Mya Bolton pushed the Bruins to the first team to 20. Freshman Sydnee Nelson added an ace to extend Belmont's lead to 23-13 before Kauffeld closed out the set with a kill off an assist from Madison Lansdown, 25-14. 

Belmont carried its momentum into the second set, battling through another back-and-forth start. Jordan Czajkowski sparked a serving run as the Bruins worked to regain the lead after UIC moved ahead 14-12. Belmont answered with strong serving and continued to make plays at the net, with key touches from Lucy Kay and Kauffeld helping the Bruins take control. Belmont closed out the set, 25-19, to move within one set of the sweep. 

The Bruins came out firing in the third, racing to a 9-3 lead behind an Emily Warmenhoven kill and a block from Kauffeld and Kay. Belmont continued to make an impact on both sides of the net, with Warmenhoven following a kill with a block to make it 11-5. McMullen converted an UIC overpass to extend the lead to 10 at 19-9, while back-to-back kills from Kay kept the Bruins in complete control. Kauffeld closed the match with a two-ball kill, giving Belmont a 25-10 third-set victory and its first sweep of the season. 

What's Bruin 

• The Bruins earned their first-ever win over UIC and first sweep of the 2026 season. 
• Brenna Kauffeld led all players with 11 kills, while Sydnee Nelson added nine. 
• Erin McMullen recorded seven kills, with Lucy Kay and Emily Warmenhoven each adding six. 
• Kay hit an impressive .556, while Kauffeld hit .455. 
• Mya Bolton led all players with 16 digs. 
• Kauffeld and Kay tied for the match high with three blocks apiece, while Alivia Keegan and McMullen each added two. 
• Belmont recorded 17 kills while hitting .441 in the third set. 

Up Next 

Belmont returns home next weekend to open its Missouri Valley Conference home schedule, hosting Indiana State Friday, Oct. 2 at 6 p.m. CT and Evansville Saturday, Oct. 3 at 5 p.m. CT inside the Curb Event Center. 

Both matches will stream on ESPN+, with live stats available at 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.