Bulldogs host UNH in home opener

VOLLEYBALL WELCOMES UNH TUESDAY IN HOME OPENER

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – After spending the first three weeks of the 2012 season on the road, the Bryant University volleyball team is finally coming home as it opens up its schedule at the Chace Athletic Center against New Hampshire on Tuesday, Sept. 11 at 7 p.m.

The Bulldogs (4-6) are coming off a 1-2 showing at the Kaiser Classic in Queens, N.Y. On Friday, Bryant dropped its opening contest of the weekend, 3-0, to St. John's, before splitting its two Saturday games, defeating St. Francis (NY), 3-0, and falling to Fairleigh Dickinson, 3-1.

On Saturday, the Bulldogs were led by an 18-kill performance from junior Alexandria Clyburn (Cartersville, Ga.), including a match-best 13 in the Bulldogs' 3-0 win over St. Francis (NY),earning her first all-tournament team selection of 2012.

After topping St. Francis in straight sets – 27-25, 25-23 and 25-16 – the Black and Gold had a tougher time against another league rival in Fairleigh Dickinson (4-8), as the Knights came back to win the nightcap after falling behind, 1-0, to start out the contest.

During the three-match Kaiser Classic, Clyburn paced the team with 23 kills and added nine blocks, while Jocelyn Taylor (Marlborough, Conn.) led the Bulldogs in the latter category, putting up 11 stuffs. Jadith Lorenzo (Lawrence, Mass.) amassed 83 assists on the weekend, while senior Macy Mitravich (Waimanalo, Hawaii) registered 42 digs.

On the season, Clyburn leads the Black and Gold with a .268 attack percentage, while Lorenzo has notched 323 assists on the season. Senior Emily Kaup (Chandler, Ariz.) and Clyburn are 1-2 in blocks, with Kaup leading the way with 29 on the season.

The Wildcats also enter Tuesday with a 4-6 record after going 2-1 this weekend at the Holly Young Invitational in Durham, N.H. UNH swept Holy Cross, 3-0, on Friday, led by a 16-kill effort from junior Morgan Thatcher.

On Saturday, New Hampshire split a pair of 3-2 contests, first defeating Central Connecticut St. before falling to William & Mary. Thatcher led the Wildcats again with a total 40 kills on the day. Freshman Victoria Forrest chipped in with a total of 28 kills.

After starting the season 1-5, UNH has won three of its last four contests. Both teams will be vying for their fifth win of 2012.

Bryant visited Durham, N.H. last September in an early-season showdown with the Wildcats. The Bulldogs earned their fourth victory of season defeating UNH, 3-1. Lorenzo led Bryant with 33 assists and 16 digs.

For links to streaming video and live stats of Tuesday's game and all the latest information on Bryant University volleyball, visit BryantBulldogs.com.