Sept. 7, 2008

Box Score

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Furman volleyball team claimed the Belmont Invitational championship with a 3-1 win over the host Bruins on Saturday.

Furman led the whole first set and won 25-20, helped by four kills from senior outside hitter Alison West. Belmont responded by jumping out to an early 11-2 lead in the second set, and the Paladins were unable to catch up, allowing the Bruins to take the second set by a score of 25-16.

The Paladins regrouped in the third and fourth sets, winning both by scores of 25-19 and 25-16, respectively.

Senior Alison West led Furman with 17 kills, while sophomore Brooke Ellison led the defense with 17 digs. Sophomore Katherine Hall recorded her second double-double of the season with 13 kills and 12 digs.

Belmont was led by Maggie Johnson with 10 kills and Megan Clements with 19 digs.

Sophomore Katherine Hall earned All-Tournament MVP honors for her role in leading the Paladins to the championship. Hall averaged 3.9 kills per game over the weekend, and added three service aces, 21 digs, and eight blocks. Setter Kelsey Salava and libero Brooke Ellison were also named to the all-tournament team. Salava finished the weekend with 89 assists, 11 kills, and 25 digs, while Ellison averaged 4.8 digs per game.

With the win, the Paladins improve to 4-3 on the season, while Belmont falls to 4-3. Furman will return home to host the Gardner-Webb Bulldogs on Tuesday in a 7:00 p.m. match.