Bulldogs earn dominant three-set win at Holy Cross

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Led by 12 kills and a .500 hitting percentage from senior Sara DePouw (Oconto, Wisc.), the Bryant University women's volleyball team hit .380 as a team on its way to a convincing three-set, 25-15, 25-9, 25-18, victory over Holy Cross Tuesday night in Worcester.

The Bulldogs (5-8) left little in doubt Tuesday, hammering their way to the convincing win over the Crusaders (4-6). Bryant had four players post a hitting percentage of .333 or better in the game.

DePouw's 12 kills led the Black and Gold, while Vika Katzen (Kfar Saba, Israel) added 11 kills, a .667 hitting percentage, 24 assists and nine digs. Ally Lunsford (Minneola, Fla.) added seven kills and three block assists. As a team, the Bulldogs served up seven aces and committed just eight attacking errors in the match.

Lunsford served up four-straight points to open up an 8-2 lead in the first set and the Bulldogs never looked back. DePouw posted two kills to help the Black and Gold close things out.

Bryant then put together one of its most dominant sets this season, winning set two, 25-9. The Bulldogs didn't make a single attacking error in the set, posting a .652 hitting percentage. DePouw opened the set with two service aces and Katzen closed the set with five-straight points on her serve.

Holy Cross raced out to a 6-3 lead and then built the lead to 17-15 but the Bulldogs battled back. Erica Vendituoli (Nashua, N.H.) tied the set with a service ace, starting a string of eight-straight points for the Bulldogs. Katzen had four kills and Lunsford added two during the deciding run.

Mandy Sifferlen led Holy Cross with 13 kills and Lizzie Webb posted 28 assists. The Crusaders made 13 attacking errors and hit just .170 in the match.

Bryant heads to Fairfax, Va., this weekend to compete in the Mason Invitational.