Pioneers forge ahead, top Bulldogs, 3-1

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Junior middle blocker Emily Kaup (Chandler, Ariz.) put up career numbers to lead the Bryant University volleyball team, but it wasn't enough to keep league-leading Sacred Heart at bay, as the Pioneers took a 3-1 win and swept the season series Saturday afternoon at the Chace Athletic Center.

The Bulldogs (6-12, 1-3 Northeast Conference) stuck right with the visiting Pioneers (12-5, 3-0) throughout the contest despite the outcome, and Kaup was a big reason for it, as the junior collected a team-best and career-high 11 kills to compliment an impressive performance at the net, where she put up a match-high and career-most nine blocks.

Bryant stood tall at the net all day, outblocking Sacred Heart by a 28-10 margin. Senior Maria Scocca (Melrose, Mass.) was a large part of that effort as well, recording eight stuffs to add to a line of nine kills and a .368 attack percentage.

Jadith Lorenzo (Lawrence, Mass.) dished out 26 assists with five kills in the outing for a team-leading .417 hitting percentage in the affair, while sophomore Alexandria Clyburn (Cartersville, Ga.) chipped in seven kills and a quartet of blocks on the afternoon.

Sophomore Kendall Gaffney (Colorado Springs, Colo.) picked up a side-best 12 digs, while rookie libero Elena Lohr (Loveland, Ohio) added 11.

Jessica Colberg would pace the game defensively with 25 digs, while the Sacred Heart offense touched down 20 more kills than its host. Dianis Mercado led the way with 16 and Kimmee Roleder (12 kills), Elise Sage (10) and Alissa Young (10) all followed suit with double-digit kills.

The Bulldogs don't have time to sit on the loss, though, as the Black and Gold return to the court Sunday for a 1 p.m. matchup against NEC foe St. Francis (NY) at the Chace Athletic Center.