Bruins win a pair of matches at AQ/CU Invite

Judson Box Score
Aquinas Box Score

Tournament Website

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- The 12th-ranked Bellevue University volleyball team won a pair of matches Friday evening in the Aquinas/Cornerstone Volleyball Invitational, downing Judson 3-0 in the opener and host Aquinas, 3-1 in the nightcap. 

With the two victories, Bellevue improved to 7-4 on the season. 

The Bruins will continue tournament action on Saturday when they travel across town to Cornerstone University. BU will take on St. Xavier University at 10 a.m. (central time) before completing the tournament with a noon matchup against host Cornerstone. 

Bellevue 3, Judson 1

Sierra Athen recorded a double-double, and the Bruins collected nine service aces en route to the 3-0 (25-8, 25-21, 25-18) sweep over Judson in the opener.

Athen led BU with 10 kills on .318 hitting while adding 11 digs.

Sidney Sledge finished with seven kills on .462 hitting. Allie Kerns registered eight kills, four digs, and a pair of blocks in the win.

Olivia Galas, who played the first two sets, finished with 19 assists, three aces, and two kills.

BU outhit the Eagles .259 to .054 and held a 57-46 advantage in digs, led by Taylan Keefer's match-high 17 digs.

Emmaline Davey paced JU with seven kills on .313 hitting while adding five digs. Kenia Diaz Vega chipped in with 11 digs for the Eagles.

Bellevue 3, Aquinas 1

Athen recorded her second double-double of the night, finishing with 14 kills and 18 digs along with two service aces to lead BU to the four-set (20-25, 25-16, 25-17, 25-13) victory over Aquinas in the nightcap.

Galas tallied 10 kills on 15 swings along with 41 assists. and seven digs. Kerns added 11 kills, seven digs, and three blocks in the victory. 

The Saints' Abbi Perkins led all attackers with 18 kills. 

After getting outhit in the opening-set loss, .297 to .178, the Bruins dominated in the final three sets, holding the Aquinas to .179 hitting in the second set and .000 in sets three and four.