Bryant battles, falls to Stony Brook in Saturday's early match

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Sophomore outside hitter Claire Van Dyk (New Richmond, Wis.) recorded her second double-double in as many matches and led the Bryant University volleyball team on both sides of the ball, but Stony Brook would use a pair of double-doubles and 11 team blocks to top the Bulldogs, 3-0, Saturday afternoon at the Bryant Invitational.

Van Dyk's 12 kills paced Bryant (2-12) and her 16 digs marked a match high. She was the only Bulldog to record double-figure kills, while frosh Mallory Wilczynski (Cary, Ill.) added eight with 11 digs and a pair of blocks.

Melissa Rigo and Kaitlyn Costello each picked up a match-high 13 kills for the Seawolves (4-10), while Rigo (11 digs) and Hannah Dolan (35 assists, 11 digs) picked up the visitors' dual double-doubles Saturday afternoon. Rigo hit at a .542 clip without registering an error. Stephanie McFadden posted seven blocks to lead both sides, complimenting her efforts with a pair of aces and six kills. Laura Hathaway added a team-leading 13 digs in the three-set match.

The Black and Gold got 32 assists from sophomore setter Jana Kmec (Stratford, Conn.), who added eight digs on the day, while rookie Sara DePouw (Oconto, Wis.) put up three blocks, seven kills and nine digs.

While the Seawolves claimed the opening set in regulation, 25-19, the next two frames would take extras. In the second, the Bulldogs would equalize their opponents at points 24, 25 and 26 before Stony Brook finished off the set victory, 28-26. In the third, Bryant would lead early, 7-3, and hold a five-point edge heading into the final points, 19-14, but the Seawolves would score eight of the next 10 from there for a 23-21 edge. The hosts would come back to tie the set at 24-24, but Bryant couldn't get back out in front, falling in the frame, 26-24, and the match, 3-0.

The Bulldogs will look to wrap up the 2013 Bryant Invitational with a victory in the final matchup of the evening, taking on St. John's at 7:00 p.m. at the Chace Athletic Center. Saturday night's contest can be seen live and free of charge on NECFrontRow.com.