Volleyball Defeats CCSU in Regular Season Finale

NEW BRITAIN, CT- The Bryant women's volleyball team closed out the regular season with a reverse sweep win over Central Connecticut, taking the final three sets. It was their second win over the Blue Devils on the year.

Match Information

Bryant 3, CCSU 2 (18-25, 15-25, 25-23, 25-18, 15-10)

Records: Bryant (20-10, 12-2 NEC), CCSU (9-17, 6-8 NEC)

Location: Detrick Gymnasium (New Britain, CT)

Coach Garlacy's Comments:

"This team is an amazing group of strong young women who don't quit on themselves or each other. The bond they share puts us in position to overcome any obstacle. It is a rare quality and we are so grateful to be part of it. This reverse sweep gives us great momentum heading into championship weekend!"

How it Happened:

Set 1: Bryant scored the opening point, but Central Connecticut scored two to take the early lead. Both teams continued to go back and forth to the tune of eight ties and three lead changes during the set, but a 7-0 Blue Devil run near the end led them to the set win. Riley James led the Bulldogs with four kills in the set. 

Set 2: The second set was less evenly matched as CCSU took the early lead and kept it throughout. Bryant closed the gap to four halfway through but could not catch up. Emma McGovern, Haley O'Brien, and James had a pair of kills each for the Bulldogs.

Set 3: Bryant began their comeback with a wild win in the third set, which featured 14 ties and six lead changes. Neither team led by more than three points at any time during the set, and the score was tied at 22 before the Bulldogs went on a mini-run to close it out. Alysa Wright had four kills against no errors to lead Bryant.

Set 4: CCSU took the early lead in the fourth, but the Bulldogs stormed back to take a five point lead before the Blue Devils called a timeout. Bryant continued to pull away and won by seven. Caroline Kennedy and Haley O'Brien led the way with five kills each.

Set 5: Bryant again had to make a come back in the fifth set after trailing by three early on. They tied the match at seven and again at eight, eventually taking a 9-8 lead. The Bulldogs scored the final four points to seal the set and match wins. O'Brien had four kills for Bryant in the abbreviated fifth set.

Bulldog Notes and Notables

• Haley O'Brien led the Bulldogs and set a season high with 14 kills. She did so on a .500 hitting percentage and added four blocks for a total of 16.5 points.

• Four Bryant players finished the match with double digit kills. In addition to O'Brien, Riley James had 13, Caroline Kennedy had 11, and Emma McGovern had 10.

• Mia Cergol posted her fourth consecutive double-double and her 12th on the season, finishing with 47 assists and 11 digs. James and McGovern also posted double-doubles in the match.

• The Bulldogs won all three sets after Josie Deluga was inserted at libero. She finished the match with 12 digs and two assists.

• Bryant ends the regular season with a 20-10 record, their third 20 win season in the last four full seasons, and their third since joining Division I. Their 12-2 conference record is also their best at the D-I level.