Bulldogs look to stay perfect in NEC play, take on CCSU Friday at 6 p.m.

SMITHFIELD, R.I. -- After its first-ever sweep in western Pennsylvania, the Bryant University volleyball team returns to action looking to stay perfect in NEC play Friday night, taking on Central Connecticut at 6 p.m. in New Britain, Conn.

The Bulldogs (10-9, 2-0 Northeast Conference) have performed well as of late, winning seven of their last eight matches dating back to Sept. 10. The Blue Devils (7-7, 2-0) also earned a sweep in the opening weekend of conference play and will be looking for their first winning streak since the beginning of the season with a victory over the Black and Gold.

Bryant boasts five players who enter Friday's match with more than 100 kills, led by 134 by senior captain Sara DePouw (Oconto, Wis.). Sophomore Julia Flynn (Pembroke, Mass.) and junior Kiley Robbins (Garland, Texas) follow with 124 and 122, respectively.

Sophomore setter Kirstyn Sperry (Phoenix, Ariz.) adds 117 kills to complement 292 assists and 155 digs. The second-year Bulldog has two triple-doubles on the season and leads the side with 23 aces. Her senior setting counterpart, captain Vika Katzen (Kfar Saba, Israel), has served up 17 aces on the season and leads the side with 464 assists (7.25 per set).

Defensively, it has been junior Erica Vendituoli (Nashua, N.H.) who has been handling libero duties for the Bulldogs, as she enters the match averaging 3.53 per set (208). Sperry (31), rookie Ava Patterson (Danville, Calif.) (36) and junior Ally Lunsford (Minneola, Fla.) (42) have been the team's top blockers.

CCSU's top trio of Raquel Quirarte (130), Morgan Woycik (124) and Cassidy Stankowski (112) provide much of the offense for Friday's hosts, while Kaitlyn Kushman and Erin McDermott have shared the setting load with 280 and 247 assists, respectively.

With 250 digs, senior Rachel Fish is back at libero for the Blue Devils, while junior Maddie Smith is far and away the team's top blocking option with 74 stuffs (9 solo) on the 2016 campaign.

CCSU will be looking to avenge a sweep by the Bulldogs during the 2015 season, when Bryant topped the Blue Devils, 3-0 at home and 3-1 on the road.

Friday's match can be seen live on NECFrontRow.com free of charge. Fans can also follow along with live stats at bryantbulldogs.com.