Posted: Oct 27, 2010

BRYANT DROPS 3-1 DECISION TO CENTRAL CONNECTICUT WEDNESDAY NIGHT AT HOME

October 27, 2010

BRYANT DROPS 3-1 DECISION TO CENTRAL CONNECTICUT WEDNESDAY NIGHT AT HOME

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Junior Maria Scocca (Melrose, Mass.) and rookie Kaitlyn Klein (Modesto, Calif.) tied a match high with 12 kills apiece, but the Bryant University volleyball team couldn't avoid taking back-to-back losses, dropping a 3-1 decision to Central Connecticut at home Wednesday night.

Sophomore setter Jadith Lorenzo (Lawrence, Mass.) collected her 18th double-double of the season with 32 assists and 13 digs, while senior captain Robyn Gardner (Lake Brantley, Fla.) posted a team-best 17 digs to lead the Bulldogs (15-14, 2-8 Northeast Conference) defensively. A trio of Blue Devils (7-14, 4-5) matched the kill totals set by Scocca and Klein, with Blaike King, Emily Cochran and Sara Delacey all also collecting 12 to pace the visiting side.

Central Connecticut started the night out with a 25-19 win in the first set, but the Bulldogs came charging back in the very next frame, rattling off 10 of 11 points to turn an 8-8 tie into an 18-9 advantage on the serving of Jazmin Stoner (Durango, Colo.) and Alexandria Clyburn (Cartersville, Ga.). The Bulldogs would get three points off blocks in the stretch, a span that also included one of the team's seven aces on the day, and would eventually take the set, 25-14.

But the Blue Devils dug in from there, winning the next two games, 25-19 and 25-16 for the 3-1 match victory. Setter Amanda Bayer dished out a match-best 48 assists in the affair while Kaitlin Petrella recorded 24 digs to pace the contest.

Both teams recorded 15 blocks on the evening, with Delacey's five (1 solo) serving as the match high. Rookies Mariah Burgess (Urbana, Ill.) and Clyburn each registered three to pace the home side, while Klein recorded the Bulldogs' only solo block of out the outing. Klein and Lorenzo each served up two aces in the match.

The Bulldogs remain at home for two more contests to round out October action and will host Saint Francis (PA) on Saturday (5 p.m.) and Robert Morris on Sunday (1 p.m.) during Parents and Family Weekend.