Belmont vs Valparaiso
Friday Nov. 7 | 1 p.m. CT
Curb Event Center | Nashville, Tenn.
Belmont at Southern Illinois
Saturday Nov. 8 | 5 p.m. CT
Davies Gym | Carbondale, Ill.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Belmont University volleyball team (14–9, 5–7 MVC) continues Missouri Valley Conference play this weekend with a pair of matches, beginning Friday afternoon at home against Valparaiso inside the Curb Event Center at 1 p.m. CT.
The Bruins will then hit the road to Carbondale, Illinois, to face Southern Illinois on Saturday evening at 5 p.m. CT inside Davies Gym. Belmont looks to build momentum heading into the final stretch of conference play as it aims to secure a spot in the postseason tournament.
Both matches will stream live on ESPN+
What's Bruin
- Belmont enters the weekend 14–9 overall and 5-7 in Missouri Valley Conference play.
- The Bruins have earned league victories over Murray State, Evansville, Southern Illinois, and Indiana State.
- In Belmont's win over Murray State, Lilly Lutz recorded her 1,000th career dig, while Brooke Gilleland reached 1,000 career kills.
- Gilleland was named Invitational MVP at the Belmont Invitational, while Lutz and Emily Warmenhoven earned All-Tournament Team honors.
- Brenna Kauffeld earned MVP honors at the Clocktower Invitational, with Gilleland and Lutz again named to the All-Tournament Team.
- Gilleland leads the offense with 283 kills, including a career-high 27 against Siena, and was recognized as Belmont's September Student-Athlete of the Month.
- Lutz anchors the defense with 377 digs, highlighted by a career-best 34 against Valparaiso.
- Setting duties are split between Jordan Czajkowski (480 assists) and Alivia Keegan (408 assists).
- Freshman Erin McMullen leads the defense at the net with 56 blocks, followed by Bella Mathis with 55.
- From the service line, Belmont has totaled 166 aces compared to opponents' 93, led by Gilleland with 43.
- As a team, Belmont is hitting .254 while holding opponents to a .202 average.
- The Bruins are led by first-year head coach Fritz Rosenberg and are in their fourth season in the Missouri Valley Conference after finishing 11–19 overall and 6–12 in league play last year.
About The Beacons
- Valparaiso enters the weekend 19-6 overall and 10-2 in MVC play.
- Senior libero Emma Hickey leads the Beacons with 508 digs and has been named MVC Defensive Player of the Week four times this season (Sept. 1, Sept. 29, and Oct. 6, Oct. 27).
- Sophomore middle hitter Lilly Merk earned MVC Defensive Player of the Week honors on Sept. 15.
- Sophomore middle hitter Jessica Pickett, named MVC Player of the Week on Sept. 29.
- Sophomore right side Ava Helming, the most recent MVC Player of the Week (Oct. 13), leads Valpo with 305 kills.
- The Beacons are led by Head Coach Carin Avery, now in her 24th season and the winningest coach in Valparaiso Athletics history.
- Valparaiso finished 18–14 overall and 9–9 in MVC play in 2024.
About The Salukis
- Southern Illinois enters the weekend 10–16 overall and 4–8 in MVC play with wins over Murray State, Evansville, Illinois State, and Bradley.
- Senior outside hitter Kelly Franklin leads the team with 299 kills
- Senior setter Emma Lade leads with 671 assists and adds 27 service aces.
- Junior libero Jillian Shaneyfelt leads the defense with 418 digs and was named MVC Defensive Player of the Week Oct. 20
- The program is led by first-year head coach Brittany Harry.
- The Salukis went 10–19 overall and 3–15 in MVC play in 2024.
Follow Along
Stream both matches Live at ESPN+
Live stats are available at BelmontBruins.com
Follow Belmont volleyball on social media — @BelmontVB on Twitter and @belmontvball on Instagram — for complete coverage of the Bruins. Stay up to date with all Belmont athletic programs via the official Belmont Bruins app, available in the Apple App Store and on Google Play.
