Box Score Playing at home in Thornton Gymnasium for the first time in the 2012 season, the Aurora University volleyball team captured a 3-1 (25-19, 21-25, 25-21, 25-21) win over the visiting Buccaneers of Beloit College.

The Spartans got out to a quick 1-0 lead in front of an excited AU crowd. Freshman Jess Belisle was at the service line for eight AU points while senior Brittany Budimier had seven kills in nine attempts in the opening set.

After the visitors tied the match at 1-1 in the second set, the Spartans responded in to take the third and fourth set for the win.

In the third set, sophomore Courtney Geisler led the Spartan attack at the service line as she served up 10 consecutive points including several aces to give AU a commanding 22-18 lead late in the set. The Spartans trailed 17-12 when she stepped to the line.

In the fourth and deciding set, Belisle once again stepped to the service line and gave the Spartans a lead they would not relinquish as she ran off six straight points for an 11-8 lead. AU took advantage of a couple of Buccaneer mishaps in the fourth set to earn the victory.

Budimier finished the match with 15 kills while sophomore Lexi O'Boyle had 32 assists, five kills and four digs. Senior Jess Barney had 14 digs, Geisler had 11 digs and seven serving aces.

Next action fo the Spartan volleyball team comes on Friday, September 7 when they host the Jim Coleman Memorial Tournament. AU plays at against Roosevelt University (2 pm) and Principia College (4 pm) in Thornton Gymnasium.