Bruin Volleyball records upset in season-opener

Biola/Red Lion-Anaheim Summer Slam Tournament Central

LA MIRADA, Calif. -- The Bellevue University volleyball team recorded a season-opening upset by topping No. 23 Lewis-Clark State 3-1 at the Biola Summer Slam Tournament on Thursday morning.

Match One: Bellevue 3, #23 Lewis-Clark State 1 (25-19, 23-25, 25-17, 25-21)

Sophomore Rachel Wald posted 16 kills and a .444 hitting percentage while senior Beth Walker recorded 37 assists and seven digs to lead Bellevue to a season-opening 3-1 victory over No. 23 Lewis-Clark State.

Bellevue got off to a strong start against the Warriors, claiming the first set 25-19 with a terrific blend of defense (five digs) and offense (.273 hit percentage).

Following a gut-wrenching 25-23 second set loss – after owning a 23-21 lead late – the Bruins bounced back by making a statement with a 25-17 third set victory to take a 2-1 lead in the match. BU attacked at a match-high .364 clip in the set while committing just three attack errors.

In the fourth set, Bellevue carried over the momentum gained from their dominant third to claim a 25-21 victory and the match. For the Bruins, it was their first victory over a ranked team since they defeated #10 Embry-Riddle (Fla.) 3-1 on Oct. 25, 2013.

Freshman Shayla Scanlan posted eight kills and an .800 hitting percentage while classmate Lauren Colpitts matched her with eight kills (.250), and junior LaJaida Even recorded seven kills for the match. Sophomore Hope Lambrecht led the team with eight blocks and chipped in three kills. Freshman Erin Warren and sophomore Taylor Holz each finished with six digs for the Bruins.

Bellevue improves to 16-10 in season-openers since restarting the volleyball program for the 1990 season.

Bellevue (1-0) is back in action later tonight with a 6:00 p.m. match against Great Falls.