Bulldog volleyball falls to Hartford, 3-2

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Senior Jazmin Stoner (Durango, Colo.) and junior Jadith Lorenzo (Lawrence, Mass.) each put up double-double performances as Stoner paced the Bryant offense for the second-straight match, but despite forcing a deciding fifth set, the Bulldogs fell to Hartford, 3-2, Saturday at the West Point Invitational.

In a match moved up to avoid the wrath of Hurricane Irene, the Bulldogs (1-1) recovered from a set one loss with a hard-fought 29-27 victory to knot the score at 1-1. The Hawks (1-1) would take the third frame by a score of 25-19 before Bryant beat its foe to retie the score at 2-2 with a 25-23 margin. But in the fifth set – the second extra game the Bulldogs have played in as many matches this season – Bryant couldn't hold onto a 10-7 advantage, falling, 17-15, for the team's first loss of the year.

Stoner's 17 kills led the Black and Gold, and the senior captain chipped in 14 digs and an ace on the day. Co-captain and classmate Maria Scocca (Melrose, Mass.) also posted double-digit points with 11. Lorenzo collected 36 assists and 21 digs for her second-straight double-double to open the season, and junior libero Macy Mitravich (Waimanalo, Hawaii) dug up a match-high 27 in the five-set defeat.

Scocca's three blocks were a team best on the morning, while Lorenzo topped the serving charts with an impressive five of the Bulldogs' eight aces.

Hartford's Kami Nethersole proved unstoppable for the Black and Gold, registering a match-best 26 kills while Jackie Tamburri's 63 assists were also a high on the contest.

The Bulldogs will play again at 1 p.m., taking on host Army in another rescheduled game due to impending weather.