Bulldogs stay perfect in opening weekend of NEC action with 3-1 win over Robert Morris Sunday

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Sophomore Julia Flynn (Pembroke, Mass.) tied her career high with 19 kills and posted one of three Bulldog double-doubles as the Bryant University volleyball team earned a 3-1 road win over Robert Morris Sunday afternoon.

Flynn added 17 digs to her match-high 19 kills, while senior captain Sara DePouw (Oconto, Wis.) also finished with double-digit kills (12) for the Bulldogs (10-9, 2-0 Northeast Conference). Setters Kirstyn Sperry (Phoenix, Ariz.) and Vika Katzen (Kfar Saba, Israel) added their own double-doubles to that of Flynn's, finishing the match with 20 assists and 12 digs and 31 assists and 11 digs, respectively. Sperry also finished just a single kill shy (9) of her third triple-double of the season.

Junior libero Erica Vendituoli (Nashua, N.H.) registered a match-leading 19 digs, while sophomore Kristin Kingi (Thousand Oaks, Calif.) also finished with double-figure digs (11). Freshman Ava Patterson (Danville, Calif.) (5 kills) posted four blocks to lead the Black and Gold at the net while junior Ally Lunsford (Minneola, Fla.) finished the day with eight kills and three stuffs.

All four sets were closely contested, with the Bulldogs taking a 2-0 match lead over the Colonials (6-10, 0-2) with 25-23 and 25-22 wins in the opening sets. Robert Morris would cut its deficit in half with a 25-22 victory in the third, but Bryant would rebound nicely in the fourth, using a 25-19 margin to take the match, 3-1, and move to 2-0 after the opening weekend of league play.

Arden Fisher paced the home side with 11 kills, adding 13 digs for the Colonials' only double-double effort. Liz Campbell dished out 27 assists with nine digs, while Taylor Lord added 13 digs with eight kills and Allie Yurkovich also picked up 13 digs for the hosts.

Robert Morris dominated at the net, outblocking the Bulldogs, 16-7, as a team. Leah Dunivan (8 kills) led the way with eight, including an impressive four solo blocks, while Brianna Schmid (5 kills) chipped in six (1 solo) and Lord added five (1 solo).

As a team, the Bulldogs hit .172 with 59 kills and three aces. The Colonials hit .127 with 42 kills and four aces.

The Bulldogs wrap up September action with another NEC matchup Friday, Sept. 30, taking on CCSU in New Britain, Conn. (6 p.m.).