Volleyball hosts Special Olympics R.I. in annual tournament

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Bryant University volleyball continued its long-standing tradition of working with Special Olympics R.I., hosting a 17-team tournament this previous Saturday.

Bryant University volleyball has been working with Special Olympics R.I. for 20 years and junior Ally Lunsford (Minneola, Fla.), a middle blocker for the Bulldogs, stepped up this year to head the event, organizing about 170 participants in the annual tournament at the Chace Athletic Center on Bryant's campus. Lunsford has worked closely with the directors of Special Olympics R.I. for the past two years and after interning with the organization this semester, the junior received an award for all her hard work.

Leading up to the event, the Bulldogs worked on skills and administered drills every Wednesday night for the past eight weeks to help prepare the athletes for the tournament. The athletes enjoyed hours of fun-filled volleyball and got to showcase their acquired skills from the previous eight weeks.

Click here to view a gallery of the event.