Bulldogs win second-straight match; top Dartmouth, 3-0, at home

SMITHFIELD, R.I. — Three players registered double-digit kills to lead the Bryant University volleyball team — who more than doubled up visiting Dartmouth offensively — as the Bulldogs triumphed over the Big Green at home, 3-0, Tuesday night at the Chace Athletic Center.

Sophomore Claire Van Dyk (New Richmond, Wis.) paced the match with 15 kills, but it was junior captain Elena Lohr (Loveland, Ohio) who dazzled on offense, slamming down a career-high 14 kills and a personal-best .520 attack percentage with nine digs as the Bulldogs (4-15) took down Dartmouth (7-6) in straight sets, 25-21, 25-22 and 25-20.

The hosts totaled 55 kills in all to 22 from the Big Green, who saw Emily Astarita get a side-best four and the team hit at just a .095 clip. Dartmouth spread its offense across its roster, with 10 players getting a notch in the kill column, but five Bulldog aces — including the match winner in the third set — gave the home side the momentum it needed.

Freshman Sara DePouw (Oconto, Wis.) picked up 10 kills, an ace and five digs for the Black and Gold, while senior libero Mikayla LaRosa (Marysville, Wash.) paced the contest defensively with 15 digs. Sophomore setter Jana Kmec (Stratford, Conn.) dished out 40 assists and nine digs, complimenting the outing with a career-best five kills in just seven attempts (.571 hitting percentage).

In total, the Bulldogs hit at a .293 clip, more than doubling their opponents in assists, 52-21, and winning the digs battle, 55-40. Bryant gave up 13 points on service errors, however, and were outblocked by Dartmouth, 5-3. Senior Alexandria Clyburn (Cartersville, Ga.) led the match with three block assists.

With their second victory of the last three days, the Bulldogs kick off their seven-match home stand on a high note and re-enter Northeast Conference play Saturday and Sunday, hosting Sacred Heart and Fairleigh Dickinson at 1:00 p.m., respectively.