The Belmont women’s volleyball team had an impressive home opener, winning both games in their doubleheader against Butler and Cal Baptist.
Saturday morning, the Bruins fired up the crowd, fighting off Butler comebacks in the first two sets to take the 2-0 lead.
In the third set, the Bulldogs gave the Belmont team a strong battle, refusing to give in and trying to force a fourth set.
But the Bruins again staved off the comeback, pulling off the win 25-27.
After sweeping Butler, the team came out ready to mop the floor with Cal Baptist.
Belmont led until halfway through the first set, but they slowly started to fall apart and lose focus.
Cal Baptist took the first two sets, capitalizing on the Bruins’ simple mistakes.
Set three started with lots of back-and-forth rallies, until Belmont broke through taking a 17-12 lead.
After winning two challenges the Bruins were hot and firing on all cylinders, taking the third set 25-18.
The energy changed in the Curb Event Center as set four started and Belmont took an early lead and kept it.
The Bruins won the fourth 25-14, forcing the game into set five.
Set five had fans on the edge of their seats, it was either team’s game to win, and both were putting in the effort.
Cal Baptist didn’t make it easy, but the Bruins’ determined offense earned the 14-16 win for a reverse sweep.
Junior Brooke Gilleland led Belmont in kills for both games with a total of 28.
Junior Lilly Lutz earned a career high, 22 digs versus the Lancers, while Redshirt Sophomore Emily Warmenhoven had a career high, 15 kills.
The freshmen also pulled their weight and were confident substitutes throughout the matches.
Freshman Lucy Kay had 15 kills in her Bruin debut with a .343 hitting percentage.
Belmont travels to Chattanooga next weekend for the Chattanooga Tournament where they will play Charleston Southern, Tennessee State and Chattanooga.
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This article was written by Bree Fabbie