Bulldogs announce 2016 slate of matches
SMITHFIELD, R.I. – On the heels of the most successful season in its Division I history, the Bryant University volleyball team and head coach Theresa Garlacy will face a challenging slate of opponents once again in 2016 from a total of nine different conferences, which includes the Northeast, as it attempts to earn a second-consecutive league-tournament berth.
The Bulldogs will compete in multiple tournaments throughout non-conference play, and it will all begin with the Hampton Inn-Vitational that they will host for a second-straight season. The Black and Gold will face the likes of St. John's for a third-straight year, as well as Hartford on the first day of the tournament, Friday, August 26th. First-time opponents Rider and Rutgers will be met on the second day, Saturday, August 27th.
Following the inaugural weekend to the start of the 2016 campaign, Bryant will get familiar with playing on the road over the ensuing month, as 14 of 15 matches from August 31st – September 30th will be played away from Smithfield. The first of those contests will held on Wednesday, August 31st against former Northeast Conference constituent, Quinnipiac.
Despite not playing at home, September begins in close proximity to Smithfield with a pair of matches against familiar foes. Playing in the Holy Cross Invitational, the Bulldogs will face UMass Lowell and Fairfield University on the 2nd, before seeing Brown on the road on the following day. A brief pit stop at the Chace Athletic Center will be made on Tuesday, September 6th against the University of New Hampshire, before Bryant hits the road for the next 10 matchups.
The third tournament of the season begins in the Columbia Invitational with first-time opponent SIUE, followed by Manhattan College on the same day (Sept. 9). The second Ivy-League opponent of the year and the host Lions will be faced on the opposite side of the net on September 10th to wrap up the tourney.
A trip south will be made to close out tournament play at the George Mason Invitational, beginning with Hampton University and the host Patriots on September 16th. Loyola (Maryland) provides the Bulldogs with one final test before conference play kicks off a week later.
The quest for a second-straight Northeast Conference tournament appearance will begin with Saint Francis U. on the 24th. On their way back east, the Bulldogs attempt to avenge last season's NEC Semifinal loss when they take on Robert Morris (Sept. 25). The Black and Gold conclude the lengthy road-stretch against Central Connecticut State University on Friday, September 30th.
Bryant returns home for what will be the first time in a month with a quick break in league action, as it faces the River Hawks for the second time during the 2016 campaign. It will be the first of three-straight matches in front of the home crowd, with Sacred Heart (Oct. 8) and Fairleigh Dickinson (Oct. 9) rounding out the weekend.
The Bulldogs play the next four matches on the road, including non-conference tilts with intrastate rival Providence (Oct. 12) in the capital city and Ivy-League rival Dartmouth (Oct. 19) for a third-straight year.
The Black and Gold return home for the final stretch of 2016 from October 22nd - November 6th, capping things off with LIU Brooklyn and St. Francis Brooklyn on the final two days of the homestand.
Bryant finishes the regular season away from home, first playing the Pioneers (Nov. 12) and then the Knights (Nov. 13). The NEC Tournament will be held on Saturday, November 19 and Sunday, November 20.