Bulldogs fall to LIU on Senior Day

BULLDOGS FALL TO LEAGUE-LEADING LIU BROOKLYN SUNDAY AFTERNOON ON SENIOR DAY

SMITHFIELD, R.I. -- The Bryant University volleyball team took league-leading LIU Brooklyn to the brink in the first two sets but ultimately could not hand the Blackbirds their first Northeast Conference loss of the season, falling, 3-0, in Sunday's home finale.

Junior Kaitlyn Klein (Modesto, Calif.) led the Bulldogs (11-20, 5-9 NEC) with 12 kills while senior Jadith Lorenzo (Lawrence, Mass.) knocked down six kills on eight attempts for a .750 attack percentage, also dishing out 24 assists, an ace and a team-high seven digs. Junior Alexandria Clyburn (Cartersville, Ga.) posted a side-best four blocks, adding five kills of her own, as rookie Claire Van Dyk (New Richmond, Wis.) also chipped in six on the attack and knotted Lorenzo's seven digs.

The Blackbirds (21-7, 14-0) proved just why they are the league's top competition, as Annika Foit slammed home a match-high 19 kills and rookie Tamara Ignjic added 14 with six digs and two blocks. Ariana Vinas Joy picked up a contest-best 20 digs while Mirjana Rajic chipped in 10 with a pair of aces and six kills.

The Bulldogs withstood the initial firepower of the Blackbirds and kept the opening set close throughout, never allowing the visitors a lead greater than four points. But after LIU Brooklyn broke the 10-10 knot, Bryant never found itself back on top, finding itself on the wrong side of the 25-22 battle. Klein hit .833 in the set with five kills off six attacks and no errors.

The struggle between the teams continued in the second set, again with neither side leading by more than four until the final points of the frame. Klein recorded six more kills to lead the Black and Gold, but the hosts couldn't find their way on top before time ran out and the visitors took a 2-0 match advantage with a 25-21 victory.

After the 10-minute break, though, the Blackbirds came on strong in the third, not allowing the home side an inch while taking an 18-10 advantage midway through the set to close out the match victory, 3-0, with a 25-14 final.

On the day, LIU Brooklyn hit .289 as a team to Bryant's .167 and won the margins in assists, 47-31, and digs, 48-33. Both teams saw six team blocks on the afternoon.

The Bulldogs return to action for their final weekend of play Nov. 10 and 11 on the road, travelling to Central Connecticut Saturday for a 4 p.m. matchup and Fairleigh Dickinson Sunday for the 3 p.m. season finale.