NASHVILLE, TENN. - - Belmont Volleyball stayed in the hunt for a conference regular season championship Saturday afternoon, gutting out a four game win over Mercer, 30-28, 29-31, 30-22, 30-27.

The Bruins held Senior Day for three of its most significant contributors in program history: Brittany Card, Colleen Nilson and Jaye Schuler. Each would fittingly play a leading role in Belmont’s victory.

The match opened well enough for Belmont with three straight points on Nilson serve. But few points the remainder of the way would be easy, as the visiting Bears displayed scrambling defense and solid blocking throughout.

After surrendering the lead, Belmont reopened an 18-14 edge on an ace from junior Emily Cahill (Lakeside Park, Ky.). Mercer responded with four unanswered points and the game would ebb back and forth the rest of the way.

Cahill and Schuler provided timely kills as the Bruins eeked out a 30-28 game one win. Belmont hit just .140 in the win.

Game two was much like game one; lengthy, spirited points with each side playing tough. A 9-8 lead on an ace from freshman Megan Clements (Indianapolis, Ind.) was short lived as Julie and Jen Darty led Mercer to a 19-14 advantage.

Belmont chipped away behind Cahill and fellow junior Cat Mundy (Dallas, Texas), seizing a 24-22 lead. Nevertheless, the Bruins were unable to deliver a knockout punch, and behind Erica Vrvlio, the Bears scratched out a 31-29 win.

Game three showcased a much sharper, focused Bruin offense. After trailing 12-13, Belmont ripped off 15 of the next 21 points. Freshman Carly Frazier (Stillwater, Okla.) and sophomore Jenny Gray (Greenwood, Ind.) joined Mundy, Cahill and Schuler in the hit parade as the Bruins took control.

Cahill put away game three with a kill, 30-22.

Despite the resurgent Bruin play – with improved digging and hitting – Mercer didn’t back down. Jen Darty helped the Bears sprint out to a 12-6 lead in game four. Yet the all-around play of Mundy, Cahill and Nilson enabled Belmont to regroup.

After earning four ties, the Bruins finally regained the lead 27-26 on a kill from Frazier. Then Nilson and Schuler finished things off with three straight hookups for kills and a 30-27 win.

Mundy led five Bruins in double figure kills with 22. She also added a career-high 20 digs and two blocks. Nilson recorded 56 assists and 15 digs for her 14th double-double of the season.

Schuler added 16 kills; Cahill 14 and six blocks. Clements chipped in 14 digs and two aces.

Claire Tucker led Mercer (7-15, 5-2 A-Sun) with 26 digs.

Belmont (17-7, 6-2 A-Sun) returns to action this coming Tuesday when it hosts Lipscomb. First serve is set for 6:30 pm CT from the Curb Event Center. The match can be viewed on ASun.TV.