Flynn tallies 1,000th kill as Bryant sweeps FDU

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University volleyball team closed out the weekend with a sweep of Fairleigh Dickinson Saturday night at the Chace Athletic Center.

Redshirt-senior Julia Flynn (Pembroke, Mass.) tallied 12 kills in the win, with the first one putting her over the 1,000-kill mark for her collegiate career. Freshman Haley O'Brien (Milton, Mass.) added 12 kills of her own in the sweep. The Bulldogs battled back from down 22-18 in the third set to complete the three-set victory.

Match Information
Bryant 3, Fairleigh Dickinson 0 (25-21, 25-13, 27-25)
Records: Bryant (14-9, 4-2); Fairleigh Dickinson (2-17, 0-5)
Location: Chace Athletic Center (Smithfield, R.I.) 

Coach Garlacy's Comments
"Our middles really stepped up tonight and were up and available consistently. Our receive and digging put us in position to utilize all three hitters. Flynn did a great job offensively and received very well."

How it Happened

• Set 1 – Bryant led 20-13 before FDU crept back into it with a 5-0 run. At 23-21, a kill by O'Brien followed by a block from Flynn and senior Grace Richmeyer (DeSoto, Mo.) closed out the set for the Bulldogs at 25-21.
• Set 2 – The Bulldogs opened the set up 8-1 and led by six the rest of the way, getting five kills from Flynn in the set. Bryant won six of the final seven points of the set to take it 25-13.
• Set 3 – FDU led 22-18 before Bryant cut it to one at 23-22. FDU would get the next point and Bryant answered with the next two to even the set at 24. The teams would trade points, and tied at 25, kills from senior Kirstyn Sperry (Phoenix, Ariz.) and Flynn won it for the Bulldogs.

Stats/Notes

• Flynn tallied 12 kills, nine digs and two blocks. Her 1,000^th career kill came at 4-1 in the first set, assisted by Sperry.
• O'Brien added 12 kills on 28 attacks with two blocks.
• Sperry collected 27 assists and 12 digs.
• Sophomore Erika Ward (Rochester, Mich.) recorded 10 digs.
• Bryant hit .182 in the match, while FDU recorded an .076 mark.
• Bryant improves to 15-6 against FDU in the Division I era and 15-8 all-time.

Up Next
Bryant is back in action Friday at 7 p.m. at Central Connecticut.

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