PRESCOTT, Ariz. -- Paced by 17 kills from All-American outside hitter Erin Clark, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University pulled out a 3-2 (26-24, 18-25, 14-25, 25-18, 15-10) victory over 12th-ranked Bellevue University Saturday afternoon in non-conference action at the Eagle Activity Center.
With the loss, the Bruins fell to 7-2 on the season. ERAU, who is receiving votes in the latest NAIA Top 25 poll, improved to 8-4 overall. The loss marked BU's second-straight five-set defeat. Bellevue is now 2-2 in five-set matches this season.
The Bruins were led by Eve Fountain's 15 kills and 10 digs for her third-straight double-double. Sierra Athen added 13 kills, six digs, and two blocks. Peyton Schendt came off the bench to record eight kills on .217 hitting.
Olivia Galas finished with 48 assists, 10 digs, four kills, and a service ace while directing the BU offense to a .146 hitting percentage.
Joining Clark in double-figure kills for the Eagles was rightside hitter Elisa Pauzer with 10. She added a match-high eight blocks.
The Bruins will begin conference play on Wednesday, Sept. 15 when they host Dakota State University at 7 p.m. in the Gordon Lozier Athletic Center.
