Bulldogs fall to Red Flash despite early lead
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Bryant (5-13, 0-1) | 27 | 25 | 26 | 23 | 14 | 2 |
|
Saint Francis U (5-9, 1-0) | 25 | 23 | 28 | 25 | 16 | 3 |
BRYANT DROPS FIVE-SET HEARTBREAKER TO SAINT FRANCIS (PA)
SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Freshman Claire Van Dyk (New Richmond, Wis.) posted 16 kills while senior captain Jadith Lorenzo (Lawrence, Mass.) recorded a double-double and served up a trio of aces, but it wouldn't be enough for the Bryant University volleyball team to earn its first Northeast Conference win, falling on the road to Saint Francis (PA), 3-2, Sunday afternoon.
Lorenzo dished out 44 assists with a match-best 18 digs for one of two double-doubles in the contest. The Bulldogs (5-13, 0-2 NEC) dominated on the block, with 18 on the day while the Red Flash (5-9, 1-0 NEC) saw two solo stuffs from Elizabeth Williams and just two more blocks assists, one from Amanda Zahumensky and another from Lauren Wingard.
Four Saint Francis (PA) players picked up double-figure kills, paced by a match-high 17 from Kayla Jeckell, who recorded the only other double-double of the day (17 kills, 11 digs). Kierstin Kiser's 67 assists led the outing, while the hosts served up 10 aces to Bryant's six. Junior Alexandria Clyburn (Cartersville, Ga.) put up 13 kills to compliment a match-high four blocks for the visiting Black and Gold, also registering a contest-best .440 attack percentage.
It was the Bulldogs who owned the early advantage, though, taking the first set in extra points, 27-25, and opening up a 2-0 edge with a 25-23 set-two victory. The hosts would rebound with a 28-26 win in the third frame and would edge out the Bulldogs, 25-23 and 16-14, in the final sets for the 3-2 match win.
Zahumensky (14 kills), Wingard (14) and Williams (13) also helped lead the Red Flash offense, while Brittany Stambaugh tied Lorenzo with 18 digs on the outing. Bryant slightly outhit Saint Francis (PA), .229 to .225, through five sets despite the loss, while the home side won the digs battle, 71-65.
The Bulldogs return home for their next outing and will look for their first conference win Saturday against Sacred Heart at the Chace Athletic Center (1 p.m.).