Bulldogs head to NY for two-match road trip

SMITHFIELD, R.I. -- The Bryant University women's volleyball team will hit the road for the second time in conference play in 2012, heading to LIU Brooklyn on Saturday, Oct. 13, followed by a match against St. Francis (NY) on Sunday, Oct. 14.  Both matches are scheduled to start at 1 p.m.

The Bulldogs (7-14, 1-4 Northeast Conference) are coming off a loss and a win this past weekend, falling to Central Connecticut, 3-1, on Saturday before coming from behind in the fifth set against Fairleigh Dickinson on Sunday to best the Knights, 3-2, for their first conference victory.

Freshman outside hitter Claire Van Dyk (New Richmond, Wis.) has been a consistent dominating force on the court for Bryant throughout the season and leads the team in kills (219) and service aces (34).  The Bulldogs have found their defensive power with Elena Lohr (Loveland, Ohio), who recorded a season-high 26 digs against Fairleigh Dickinson Sunday, in as libero, as well as with senior Emily Kaup (Chandler, Ariz.), who paces the team in blocks this season with 72.

LIU Brooklyn (12-7, 5-0) sits atop the Northeast Conference standings this season with an undefeated league record.  Freshman libero Adrianna Vinas Joy has 285 digs on the season. Ashley Rice commands the block count with 79, while sophomore Annika Foit leads the Blackbirds in kills on the season with 258.   Rice and Foit tallied eight kills apiece in their last match against Robert Morris.

While it is the first time the Bulldogs are meeting both teams in conference play this season, they played St. Francis in the Kaiser Classic on Sept. 8, beating the Terriers, 3-0.  St. Francis (2-21, 0-6) is still looking for its first win in conference play, but senior setter Naomi Flinders has been a bright spot for the Terriers this season, recording her second triple-double Saturday against Robert Morris. Van Dyk will square off against Terrier outside hitter Slavica Stefanovic, who also leads her team in kills (147) and service aces (23).

After the road trip, the Bulldogs will return to Bryant for a three-game home stand, squaring off with Quinnipiac, Robert Morris and St. Francis (PA) next week.