Bryant stumbles in fifth, falls to SFPA, 3-2
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Bryant (9-13, 3-4) | 25 | 21 | 25 | 19 | 7 | 2 |
|
Saint Francis U (7-14, 2-4) | 17 | 25 | 21 | 25 | 15 | 3 |
SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University volleyball team took 1-0 and 2-1 match leads but lost the ensuing set both times to set up the Bulldogs' second five-frame match in as many days, but Saint Francis (PA) would get the final word, taking a 3-2 win on the back of an Amanda Zahumensky double-double Sunday afternoon.
The Bulldogs' 25-17 set-one win was erased by a 25-21 Red Flash victory to knot the contest at 1-1, but a 25-21 third-frame topping by the visitors couldn't keep Saint Francis (PA) from 25-19 and 15-7 wins in the final two stanzas, as Bryant (9-13, 3-4 Northeast Conference) ended up on the wrong side of the 3-2 final in Loretto, Pa.
Zahumensky led the match with 17 kills and 12 digs for the Red Flash (7-14, 2-4) and was one of three Saint Francis (PA) players with double-figure kills. Lauren Wingard added 15 of her own while Elizabeth Williams recorded 13 kills with a match-high five blocks and a trio of aces in the outing.
Rookie libero Elena Lohr (Loveland, Ohio) was on her game defensively for the Bulldogs, collecting a match-best 17 digs. Senior Jazmin Stoner (Durango, Colo.) paced the Bryant offense with 12 kills, complimenting an 11-kill, nine-dig effort from sophomore Kendall Gaffney (Colorado Springs, Colo.). Senior captain Maria Scocca (Melrose, Mass.) also performed well at the net, registering 10 kills with three blocks on the day.
Junior setter Jadith Lorenzo (Lawrence, Mass.) picked up 36 assists in the match with eight digs, but it was Red Flash setter Kierstin Kiser's 55 helpers that were a contest best.
On the day, the Bulldogs were out-blocked, 16-14, while Saint Francis (PA) posted a .248 hitting percentage to Bryant's .158. The Red Flash served up seven aces in the win, while the Black and Gold posted five of their own, including two from sophomore Alexandria Clyburn (Cartersville, Ga.).
The Bulldogs return home to Smithfield, R.I. for their next two contests and will host Long Island at the Chace Athletic Center Saturday, Oct. 15 at 4:00 p.m.