Photo Credits: DSPics
Photo Credits: DSPics

Bulldogs Sweep SFU, Advance to NEC Finals

SMITHFIELD, R.I.- The Bryant women's volleyball team advanced to the NEC championship game with a 3-0 sweep of Saint Francis. The Bulldogs will take on Sacred Heart tomorrow at 3:00 pm

Match Information

Bryant 3, SFU 0 (25-23, 25-17, 25-23)

Records: Bryant (21-10, 12-2 NEC), SFU (13-14, 9-5 NEC)

Location: Chase Athletic Center (Smithfield, R.I.)

 

Coach Garlacy's Comments: "Playing in the Chace with a big home crowd definitely swung the pendulum in our favor. We had a balanced offense, serve received well, and executed at crucial times."

 

How it Happened: 

Set 1: Bryant fell behind to open the match, but used a 5-0 run to storm to the 9-6 lead. Once they took the lead, they kept it, not allowing SFU back within three points. The Bulldogs had six different players record a kill in the set, led by Emma McGovern with two kills, two aces, and a block.

Set 2: The Bulldogs scored four of the first five points in the second set. They took the lead for good at 2-1, never allowing the Red Flash to even tie the score the rest of the way. McGovern again had a strong set with four kills and an ace.

Set 3: Both teams traded blows in the third set to the tune of 14 ties and five lead changes. Saint Francis opened the scoring with a 3-0 run, but Bryant was able to claw back and tie it at nine. Neither team held an advantage of more than two the rest of the way, with the score tied as late as 23. Caroline Kennedy and Riley James had three kills apiece for the Bulldogs on their way to the match win.

Bulldog Notes and Notables

  • Six different players recorded at least three kills for the Bulldogs, with Emma McGovern and Riley James leading the way with eight apiece. 

  • McGovern had a solid all-around game, also posting three aces and three blocks. She is now seven aces away from 50 in her career.

  • Five different players recorded a block in the match. Alysa Wright and Haley O'Brien led the way with five and four respectively.

  • Bryant will play in the NEC title game for the second time. It will be a rematch of the 2018 championship, where the Bulldogs swept Sacred Heart.