DES MOINES, Iowa. – The Drake volleyball team closed out its weekend in front of the home faithful at the Knapp Center on Saturday evening with a sweep over the Belmont Bruins on Senior Day. The win marked the ninth in-a-row for the Bulldogs.
 
In the first set, the Bulldogs seized the momentum from the opening few points as they went on a 3-0 run to start the match, highlighted by a service ace from Kacia Brown. The Bulldogs carried their tone setting pace all the way through media timeout when another run, this time an 8-0 stretch, had Drake doubling up Belmont on the scoreboard, 18-9. During that 8-0 span, the Bulldogs received a pair of kills from Macy Daufeldt, an ace by Gabbie Schroeder, and a combo block by Daufedlt and Aniyah Davis. It was much longer that Drake had a double-digit lead at 23-13 following a kill from Lisa Melenciano, which eventually led to the set winner from Bliss Beck, 25-14.
 
The Bulldogs and Bruins went back-and-forth in the early stages of the second set, but Drake gained a bit of separation using a 4-0 run, capped by another ace off the serve of Addison Beagle, to go up 11-9. Belmont stayed within reach of the Bulldogs throughout the set, however, as down the stretch the Bruins pulled within a point at the 22-21 mark. The Bulldogs remained composed, though and went to freshman Caroline Smith for a pair of kills to win the set, 25-21.
 
Needing just one more set to close out the match, Drake went to work. Daufeldt gave the Bulldogs a 9-5 lead following back-to-back aces and moments later the defense stepped up with consecutive combo blocks by Bliss Beck and Melenciano. The Bulldogs maintained their distant lead over Bruins as the set moved along, and senior Madison Geise recoded the teams 13th service ace of the night to set the score at 21-12. Beck was the one who eventually ended the match off a kill with a final score of 25-17 to complete the sweep.
 
Smith led the Bulldogs with 12 kills on the night and Daufeldt finished one behind with 11 to go along with eight digs and three service aces. Brown finished one kill shy of a double-double with nine kills and 10 digs, which led the team. She also recorded three service aces. Beagle led Drake in assists on her senior night with 25.
 
In total, seven seniors were honored with a post-game celebration for their efforts and accomplishments during their time in Des Moines. Those seven seniors were: Addison Beagle, Kacia Brown, Macy Daufeldt, Aniyah Davis, Jasmine Dulan, Madison Geise, and Gabbie Schroeder.
 
Drake will once again have a split week on the road and at home for its next pair of matches. The Bulldogs first travel to Cedar Falls on Tuesday, Nov. 4 to challenge in-state rival UNI. Drake then returns to Des Moines for its final home contest of the season versus UIC on Saturday, Nov. 8.