MILWAUKEE, WIS. - - Going the distance is becoming old hat for Belmont Volleyball. Less than a week after a memorable endurance test victory over Northeastern, the Bruins once again delivered a heart-stopping five game win over Marquette Friday night, 30-27, 24-30, 30-27, 22-30, 18-16.

Behind the dependable serving of senior Colleen Nilson (McHenry, Ill.), Belmont raced out to leads of 3-0 and 15-6 in game one. Marquette closed to 15-17 on a BU attack error, but forceful hitting from junior Cat Mundy (Dallas, Texas) and a kill by freshman Carly Frazier (Stillwater, Okla.) helped Belmont squeeze out a game one win, 30-27.

Mundy powered the Bruins to a quick lead in game two before the host Golden Eagles found a groove. Consistent scoring from Kimberley Todd enabled Marquette to claim a workable margin. Despite a kill from Nilson which got Belmont within 23-25, Marquette won game two.

A kill from junior Emily Cahill (Lakeside Park, Ky.) got the Bruins off to an encouraging start in game three before the Golden Eagles again seized control. Though it trailed by as many as six points, Belmont clawed back into the game behind Mundy and senior Jaye Schuler (Lexington, Ill.). Two straight aces from Nilson gave the Bruins a 22-21 lead. Tied at 26-26, the Bruins scored four of the final five points and closed the game on senior Brittany Card’s (Carlinville, Ill.) serve to win, 30-27.

The fiercely competitive affair raged onto game four, where Belmont’s hitting cooled off. Despite more all-around play from Nilson, Belmont hit just .024 in game four, falling 22-30 – forcing a decisive game five.

And as they’ve done several times this season, the Bruins rose to the occasion. Middle hitting from Cahill and Schuler pushed Belmont to an 8-6 lead. The lead then exchanged hands at will - with intensity rising and points at a premium.

A kill from sophomore Jenny Gray (Greenwood, Ind.) gave Belmont match point at 14-13 before Marquette responded with two points in a row. Now trailing match point 14-15, Schuler provided a saving kill. Then following a trade-off of points, at 16-16, Schuler scored again to give Belmont match point at 17-16.

In dramatic fashion, Frazier closed the match with an ace.

Predictably in an epic match, Belmont had numerous individual career-highs, including Mundy with 24 kills and five players with double figure digs.

Nilson had 63 assists, 14 digs, and six aces.

The Bruins won despite being outhit, .241 to .186.

Belmont (9-4) returns to action Saturday afternoon against Houston Baptist in its final match of the Marquette Tournament.