LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The Bellarmine University volleyball team fought back after dropping the third and fourth set to beat the University of Missouri-St. Louis Tritons 15-7 in the fifth set at Knights Hall on Saturday afternoon in the regular season finale.

With the win, Bellarmine (18-9, 9-4 Great Lakes Valley Conference) secures a berth in the 2010 GLVC Tournament, to be held next weekend on the campus of Lewis University. The Knights' hold the No. 7 seed and will play the University of Indianapolis in the first round on Friday at 2:30 p.m.

The contest was the final regular season home match for seniors Emily Beckman, Kaitlan Harris, and Kaitlin O'Conner. Bellarmine will host the NCAA Division II Elite Eight as part of the Fall Sports Championship Festival next month.

"I'm really happy that today was not their last day," Bellarmine Head Coach Dan Palmer said.  "They have put a lot into this program."



Paula Byrns stepped up with a massive blocking display. Her two solo blocks and four assisted blocks led all players. She also added seven kills.

Krista Gibson recorded a game-high 22 kills and added 13 defensive digs. Beckman scored 17 kills and an equal number of digs.

Harris led the squad with 21 digs, while Bailey BredenbeckCorp tied a career high with 53 assists. Whitney Tormoehlen was the other Knight with double digit digs, finishing with 13.

Be sure to check the official website of Bellarmine Athletics at athletics.bellarmine.edu for more information on the 2010 volleyball season.

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