Bulldogs topple Friars, 3-0, Tuesday

BULLDOGS SWEEP INTRASTATE RIVAL PROVIDENCE COLLEGE IN STRAIGHT SETS TUESDAY NIGHT AT HOME

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Freshman Claire Van Dyk (New Richmond, Wis.) recorded 11 kills while senior captain Emily Kaup (Chandler, Ariz.) led the Bulldogs with a .471 attack percentage as the Bryant University volleyball team defeated intrastate rival Providence College in straight sets Tuesday night at the Chace Athletic Center.

Junior Kaitlyn Klein (Modesto, Calif.) posted 10 kills with a pair of blocks while Kaup and junior Alexandria Clyburn (Cartersville, Ga.) each chipped in nine kills to help pace the Bulldogs (6-13) to the 3-0 victory. The Friars (1-20) were led by 12 kills and a .579 attack percentage from Anna Russian, both numbers marking match bests.

The teams battled throughout the first set, each side posting a .333 hitting clip as a team, but it was the Bulldogs who would prevail, 25-23, despite a late push from the visitors. The Black and Gold took a 2-0 advantage with a 25-19 victory in the second frame and would close out the contest with a decisive 25-15 win, helped along by back-to-back aces from rookie Jana Kmec (Stratford, Conn.).

The Bulldogs finished the outing with four aces and a .327 team attack percentage and outblocked their opponents, 4-1. Clyburn posted a match best at the net with three block assists, while senior Jadith Lorenzo (Lawrence, Mass.) dished out a contest-high 41 assists. Elena Lohr (Loveland, Ohio) registered 13 digs and added a trio of assists along with two kills as Bryant's starting libero, but it was PC's Cassie Muzzonigro who recorded the match's top mark in the category, with 16.

The Bulldogs return to Northeast Conference play in their next outing, hosting Central Connecticut Saturday (5 p.m.) before welcoming Fairleigh Dickinson to Smithfield Sunday (1 p.m.) for the annual Dig Pink match.