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BULLDOG VOLLEYBALL FALLS IN NEC OPENER, 3-0, TO BLUE DEVILS FRIDAY NIGHT
October 02, 2009
BULLDOG VOLLEYBALL FALLS IN NEC OPENER, 3-0, TO BLUE DEVILS FRIDAY NIGHT
SMITHFIELD, R.I. - A frenetic pace and an abundance of errors plagued the Bulldogs in their Northeast Conference opener Friday night, as the Bryant University volleyball team fell to Central Connecticut State University, 3-0, at the Chace Athletic Center.
The Bulldogs (5-12, 0-1 NEC) were paced by nine kills from senior Julie Geonnotti (Eden Prairie, Minn.), while the contest highlighted a career night for rookie setter Samantha Whitham (South Weymouth, Mass.) and the collegiate debut of touted setter Jadith Lorenzo (Lawrence, Mass.).
Bryant was plagued by errors from the outset, falling into a 4-0 hole by way of four-consecutive errors to open the first set. The Blue Devils (8-8, 3-0 NEC) would take a quick victory, 25-10, as the Bulldogs collected just a trio of kills with 15 attack errors.
In the second set, Bryant would up its game, settling in to a new rotation that included recently eligible Lorenzo. Sophomore Jazmin Stoner (Durango, Colo.) collected four kills while the Bulldogs registered all six of their match blocks in the set, including two solo blocks and a block assist from Maria Scocca (Melrose, Mass.).
Bryant's play improved considerably in the third, thanks to 12 team kills and 21 team digs, but ultimately, the Bulldogs would fall, 25-17, in both of the final two sets.
On the day, Whitham collected a career-high 14 assists, while junior libero Robyn Gardner (Longwood, Fla.) led the Bulldogs with 15 digs. Stoner registered seven kills on the night with Scocca collected just six. Freshman Emily Kaup (Chandler, Ariz.) recorded the Bulldogs' only ace, while Lorenzo recorded two assists and a pair of digs in her collegiate debut.
The Blue Devils were led by 10 kills and four blocks from Jamie Baumert, while Amanda Bayer collected a game-high 27 assists and Kaitlin Petrella registered a match-best 17 digs.
The Bulldogs now embark on their longest road stretch of the season, spending the next 15 days and four matches on the road before returning to Smithfield, R.I. for an NEC doubleheader with LIU and Quinnipiac on Oct. 17. Bryant will face off against Providence College in its next bout, Tuesday, Oct. 6 at 7:00 p.m.