Bulldogs drop season debut to Ohio

BRYANT FALLS TO OHIO U., 3-0, IN OREGON CLASSIC OPENER

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University volleyball team fell to Ohio University, 3-0, in its 2013 season opener at the Oregon Classic in Eugene, Ore., Friday night.

Sophomore Claire Van Dyk (New Richmond, Wis.) paced the Bulldogs (0-1) with eight kills while senior Kaitlyn Klein (Modesto, Calif.) chipped in five more, but Bryant was overmatched by a Bobcat (1-0) side favored to win the MAC Tournament in 2013.

Ohio was led by 12 kills from reigning MAC Player of the Year Kelly Lamberti, who hit at a .500 clip on 20 attacks. Katie Horton was the only other player to finish in double digits with 10 kills, while Abby Gilliland picked up 29 assists for the Bobcats in their season debut.

For the Black and Gold, sophomore Jana Kmec (Stratford, Conn.) dished out 14 helpers with a pair of digs, while libero Elena Lohr (Loveland, Ohio) and senior Kendall Gaffney (Colorado Springs, Colo.), the team's two captains, each picked up a team-best four digs.

Ohio outblocked the Bulldogs, 10-0, en route to the 25-15, 25-10, 25-14 victory, paced by three stuffs apiece from Horton and Alexis Pinson.

The Bulldogs will return to Matthew Knight Arena for a Saturday doubleheader to close out Oregon Classic play, starting the day off with a matchup against the nation's eighth-ranked team and tournament host Oregon at 2:00 p.m. ET.