BU opens season with wins over Taylor, St. Francis

Taylor Box Score | St. Francis Box Score

DES MOINES, Iowa -- The 12th-ranked Bellevue University volleyball team opened the 2013 season with a pair of wins, defeating Taylor University 3-1 (25-19, 15-25, 25-17, 25-17) before posting a 3-2 (21-25, 25-21, 19-25, 25-14, 15-10) win over the University of St. Francis (Ill.) in the nightcap Friday evening at the Grand View Volleyball Tournament inside the Charles S. Johnson Wellness Center.

The Bruins will conclude tournament action tomorrow (Aug. 24) with matches scheduled against Indiana Wesleyan University and Bethel (Ind.) College. 

Bellevue 3, Taylor 1

Paced by a double-doubles by Annie Benson and Caitlyn Rueth, the Bruins won their season-opener 3-1 over Taylor.

Benson recorded 14 kills and 12 digs while Rueth added 10 kills and 12 digs. Sunny Bell pounded a match-high 15 kills with a block.

Beth Walker guided the Bruins to a .207 hitting percentage and notched 48 assists to go along with eight digs.

Meghan Evans anchorded the Bruins' defense with 17 digs while adding four assists.

Bellevue 3, St. Francis 2

Rueth and Benson combined for 34 kills as both recorded double-doubles to lead the Bruins to the five-game comeback victory over St. Francis. Walker also added a double-double with 58 assists and 12 digs. 

Bellevue hit .243 for the match as Sydney DeBoer (13) and Bell (10) joined Rueth and Benson in double figures.

Defensively, BU was led by Evans' 21 digs. Benson added 19 digs and Rueth chipped in with 14 as the Bruins held a 79-71 advantage in total digs.