DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. --Sophomore Sunny Bell tied a career-high with 19 kills to lead Bellevue University to a 3-1 (25-14, 25-13, 19-25, 25-23) win over Bethel (Tenn.) University in the Bruins' opening match of the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Tournament Friday afternoon.
The Bruins (20-6) will battle the tournament host, seventh-ranked Embry-Riddle, at 6 p.m. tonight in continuing action at the the tournament.
Bell finished with 19 kills on .304 hitting, while adding four digs. Annie Benson collected 11 kills and a match-high 22 digs for her sixth double-double of the season. Caitlyn Rueth was the third Bruin in double figures with 10 kills along with four digs.
Jordan Broady notched her team-leading ninth double-double of the season with 47 assists and 10 digs, to go along with three kills.
Meghan Evans registered 14 digs in the victory.
Bethel (7-10) was led by Sashalee Wallen with 10 kills.
Benson led the Bruins in the opener with six kills on eight errorless swings and BU scored the final 10 points to run away with the 25-14 victory.
Bellevue used a 14-4 run midway through the second set to cruise to the 25-13 win. Bell paved the way with seven kills on .462 hitting.
The Bruins were plagued by 10 hitting errors and two receive errors as Bethel rebounded for a 25-19 win in the third frame. Bell and Symone Faulkner each posted three kills in the game, but BU hit just -.026 as a team.
In the fourth game, Bellevue closed the match on a 4-1 run, keyed by three kills from Bell and a service ace from Evans as the Bruins escaped with the 25-23 win.
