Volleyball Beats CCSU, Goes 2-0 in NEC

SMITHFIELD, R.I.- The Bryant women's volleyball team improved to 2-0 in NEC play with a 3-2 win over Central Connecticut State.

Match Information

Bryant 3, CCSU 2 (17-25, 26-24, 25-22, 16-25, 15-11)

Records: Bryant (9-8, 2-0 NEC), CCSU (4-10, 1-1 NEC)

Location: Chace Center

Coach Garlacy's Comments

"The pendulum swing in our direction in the fifth set when Caroline Kennedy was determined to score. Riley James was so consistent on offense and defense with a double double. although we struggled serving early on, we were able to keep them out of system consistently. Abby Rae led the defense, and Mia Cergoll as a setter stepped up her defensive game as well. While we still have some work to do, this is a great start to conference play."

How it Happened:

Set 1: Central Connecticut opened up a 5-1 lead in the first set, but Bryant was able to make it a one point set. The Blue Devils were able to open up a gap again and won the set by eight. Riley James had three kills in the set and Mia Cergol had six assists.

Set 2: CCSU went up early again in the second set, but Bryant came back to tie it at 11 and eventually take the lead. Both teams stayed close, eventually tying the match at 20. CCSU took a 24-21 lead, but the Bulldogs used a 5-0 run to win by two, 26-24. James again led the Bulldogs with five kills in the set, and Cergol had 13 assists. 

Set 3: Bryant took the early lead in Set 3, taking a 7-2 lead. CCSU stayed close, eventually tying the match at 20. After the tie, Bryant took back control and won the set by three, 25-22. Alysa Wright had seven kills in the set for the Bulldogs, who had 16 as a team.

Set 4: The Blue Devils opened the fourth set with a 10-3 run that proved to be insurmountable for Bryant. The Bulldogs made a few short runs, but CCSU went on to win 25-16. Riley James, Haley O'Brien, and Alysa Wright each had blocks in the set.

Set 5: Bryant never trailed in the decisive final set. CCSU was able to tie it at five, but the Bulldogs scored twice to give them the lead for good. They withstood another late comeback by the Blu Devils, scoring the final three points to seal the set and the match. Caroline Kennedy had four of Bryant's nine kills in the set.

Bulldog Notes and Notables

• Riley James finished with a match high 18 kills, including the 500th of her career, becoming the second Bulldog this weekend to reach that mark. James also had 11 digs and two blocks, picking up a double-double.

• Mia Cergol also finished the match with a double-double, recording 45 assists and 15 digs. She also had two aces.

• Alysa Wright tied a her season high with 13 kills in the match. It was the third time this season she posted double digit kills.

• Bryant's 59 team kills tied their most in a match this season. It was their sixth time eclipsing 50 kills this season.

• This was Bryant's first five set match of the season, in their 17th match.