Belmont Bests Bulldogs in Tight Defensive Match
Belmont reclaimed victory in their rivalry with the Bulldogs by demonstrating strong defense after suffering a 3-2 loss in 2025.
In a grueling point-for-point battle in each set, the Bruins combated Drake’s competitive defense with strategic attacks and consistent, assertive blocks across all four sets.
While Drake performed only slightly better than Belmont with 14-13 in blocks and 48-49 in kills, intentional attacks to any open court on the Bulldogs’ side ultimately secured victory in sets 1, 2 and 4.
Playing against a team that is known for aggressive defense required the Bruins to attempt challenging attacks.
“Start trying higher-risk shots of attacks, if you’re able to defend,” said Coach Rosenberg. “That creates the likelihood of errors on [the Bulldogs’] side.”
Several Drake attack errors helped Belmont build a lead of 8-4. The Bulldogs quickly closed the gap after an aggressive dig from libero Lauren Evans led to an attack error.
The gap didn’t stay closed for long, however; Sydnee Nelson surged Drake’s court with four kills over the next eight rallies. Nelson finished the set with three kills directed towards open court on Drake, taking the 25-19 win.
Set two continued to challenge the Bruins’ defense as the Bulldogs successfully attacked Belmont’s weakest areas of quick digs to return the ball.
While sophomore Erin McMullen set multiple blocks assisted by Nelson, Drake had a streak of kills and called a timeout at 21-19.
However, Drake couldn’t manage to win the set, as junior Lauren Evans dug the ball high enough for junior Lucy Kay to jump and block a return in front of the net, terminating the set 25-22.
Set three resumed the ongoing gritty battle with both teams struggling on returns against efficient defensive tactics. Many rallies worked the Bruins and Bulldogs to their core, totaling the tied rallies and lead changes to four.
Rosenberg called the Bruins' second timeout at a score of 14-15. Following their return to the court, Keegan proceeded to immediately spike the ball over the net once received.
Although defensive plays were still ongoing in the final points, Kay and senior Connie Kofoed simultaneously blocked the ball from crossing above the net, keeping the score close at 17-15 for the Bulldogs.
The main challenge for the Bruins towards the end of this set was defending at the back of the court.
Nelson and Kauffeld both struggled to shift towards the back of the court to return the attack. The Bulldogs extended the match to a fourth set at 25-20.
The final set consisted of the same level of competitive nature, leaving both teams to prioritize outstanding defense.
After two service errors by Bolton, the Bulldogs gained the first point. Kay put the Bruins ahead 5-3 by blocking attempted attacks in the seventh and eighth rallies.
Evans struggled to dig the ball when the score was 12-10 Bruins. Knowing that they needed to continue matching the moves, senior Connie Kofoed reentered the match and killed the ball to Drake’s areas of open court, placing the Bruins in a strong lead of 15-11.
As Drake attacked the ball to empty court, the score tightened to 18-16. As McMullen struck another defensive block, Czajkowski sprinted up the court to assist her in blocking in the next rally, followed by an attack error from Drake. Now with a lead of 24-17, Kofoed killed the ball in a lead of 24-17 and joins her teammates in celebration.
“Something that we do every time out and between each set is meet with our position groups and talk about shots that are open for each other,” Kofoed said.
“Once I found one fall to the deep corner, my setter and everyone I knew trusted me to keep going back there… having trust in my teammates and having trust in me to find the open court is what always helps me in tough sets.”
Strong defense was still in the works throughout the weekend. On Saturday, the Bruins defeated the University of Illinois-Chicago Flames 3-2 at home.
This article was written by Ariel Murphy
Comments