BRYANT FALTERS LATE, FALLS TO ROBERT MORRIS IN FIVE SETS

October 31, 2010

BRYANT FALTERS LATE, FALLS TO ROBERT MORRIS IN FIVE SETS

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University volleyball team couldn't maintain a 2-0 match lead Sunday afternoon, giving Robert Morris a window to climb back into the game and eventually overtake the Bulldogs in five sets, 3-2, at the Chace Athletic Center.

Junior Maria Scocca (Melrose, Mass.) had a big day at the net, posting 10 kills and an impressive seven blocks (2 solo), while junior Jazmin Stoner (Durango, Colo.) and rookie Kaitlyn Klein (Modesto, Calif.) each recorded double-doubles and paced the Bulldogs (16-15, 3-9 Northeast Conference) with 11 kills apiece. It was the first-career double-double performance for the rookie (11 digs) and seventh of the year for Stoner (15), while sophomore Jadith Lorenzo (Lawrence, Mass.) collected her 19th double-double of the season despite the loss (match-high 40 assists, 10 digs).

Bryant started off strong, taking 25-15 and 25-20 wins over the Colonials (11-16, 8-2) for a two-set lead heading into the third frame. The home side took a 10-5 advantage midway through the set but gave up 10 of the next 14 points, allowing Robert Morris to take its first lead of the day, 15-14.

The Colonials would take that momentum and never give it up, fighting to a 25-18 set-three victory and overtaking the home side in the fourth game, 25-22, despite trailing, 20-15, late in the frame.

In the fifth set, with the match score tied at 2-2, it was all Robert Morris, as the visitors ripped off an 8-2 lead to open the shortened frame, never giving the Bulldogs the opportunity to fight their way back in. The Colonials would eventually take the set and match with a 15-8 decision.

Hannah Veith paced the match with 14 kills on the afternoon, making just two errors, while Amanda Graham and Lindsey Monger chipped in 12 kills each. Corinne Moser led the contest on the defensive end with 26 digs, while Graham also posted a match-best nine blocks (3 solo) at the net.

Robert Morris outblocked the Bulldogs, 23-14, on the day and put up seven solo blocks in total. Bryant had the advantage on the serve, offering up 12 aces to the Colonials' three, with half of its aces coming in the first two sets. Five Bulldogs, led by captain Robyn Gardner (Longwood, Fla.), recorded double-digit digs.

The Bulldogs return to the road for three of their remaining four contests, taking on Long Island University next Saturday, Nov. 6 and Fairleigh Dickinson a day later before returning to New England for a Nov. 10 matchup at Quinnipiac. Bryant will then play at home for a final time in 2010 in the Nov. 14 season finale against St. Francis (NY).