Bulldogs sweep QU in NEC home opener

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University volleyball team, paced by senior Maria Scocca (Melrose, Mass.)'s eight kills and .667 attack percentage, earned its first Northeast Conference win in a commanding fashion Wednesday night, taking a 3-0 victory over Quinnipiac in the Bulldogs' 2011 home conference opener.

The win came on the back of an impressive 25-10 closing set, in which the Bulldogs (6-11, 1-2 NEC) took an 8-1 lead and never looked back, scoring in droves for the three-frame sweep after 25-20 and 25-16 victories in the opening two stanzas.

It was sophomore Alexandria Clyburn (Cartersville, Ga.) who paced Bryant on the kill, recording a match-best nine with an ace and a match-high two blocks on the night. Tanner Celestin's seven kills led the Bobcats (1-14, 0-2).

Freshman libero Elena Lohr (Loveland, Ohio) matched her career high with 21 digs in the affair, also dishing out an ace and an assist, while sophomore Kendall Gaffney (Colorado Springs, Colo.) picked up 12 digs to compliment eight kills on the evening.

Senior co-captain Jazmin Stoner (Durango, Colo.) chipped in eight kills and a block, while sophomore Leigh Fishback (Edmonds, Wash.) paced the contest with a trio of service aces and added another 11 assists. Jadith Lorenzo (Lawrence, Mass.) led the match with 19 helpers.

On the night, the Bulldogs outkilled their opponents, 41-24, and outblocked the Bobcats, 6-5. Quinnipiac libero Tracy Wright's 22 digs were a match best, while Krista Bennett added 18 more for the visitors.

The Black and Gold remain in Smithfield for a pair of weekend matches and will host Sacred Heart and St. Francis (NY) in Northeast Conference matchups at the Chace Athletic Center Saturday, Oct. 1 (1 p.m.) and Sunday, Oct. 2 (1 p.m.).