LA CROSSE, Wis. -- Sophomore Rachel Wald led the Bruins with 10 kills as the Bellevue University volleyball team fell, 3-0, at No. 4 Viterbo University on Thursday evening in North Star Athletic Association action. Viterbo won by scores of 25-20, 25-16, 25-9.
Bellevue had their best offensive set in the opener, hitting .179 but, ultimately, falling to the host V-Hawks 25-20. The Viterbo defense turned things up when they limited the visiting Bruins to .052 hitting over the next two sets on their way to the sweep.
Viterbo out-hit the Bruins .391-.108 on the night while holding a 39-28 edge in digs and an 8-2 advantage in blocks.
Beth Walker directed the Bellevue attack with 21 assists, adding five digs while hitting .267. Sophomore Taylor Holz led the Bruins with nine digs and freshman Erin Warren added five.
Natalie Geidel (14), Sara Biermaier (10), and Elissa Herman (10) each reached double-figure kills while Amelia Grahn dished out 33 assists for the V-Hawks. Defensively, Jennifer Krentz and Bayless Gross led Viterbo in digs with 16 and eight, respectively.
The Bruins (20-16/2-3 NSAA) wrap up their regular season tomorrow at 5 p.m. with a North Star match at Waldorf College. With a victory Bellevue will secure their 20th straight season with a .500 or better record in conference play.