Bulldogs split Saturday at Kaiser Classic

Bulldogs top St. Francis (NY), fall to FDU in final day of Kaiser Classic

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Junior Alexandria Clyburn (Cartersville, Ga.) posted 18 kills on the day, including a match-best 13 in the Bulldogs' 3-0 win over St. Francis (NY), earning her first all-tournament team selection of 2012 as the Bryant University volleyball team split Saturday action to finish the Kaiser Classic with a 1-2 record on the weekend.

Clyburn hit with 63.2 percent accuracy against the Terriers (1-12), in the first of three season meetings between the Northeast Conference foes, making just a single attack error in 19 attempts while adding three blocks. Classmate Kaitlyn Klein (Modesto, Calif.) also chipped in double-digit kills in the contest with 10. Sophomore Jocelyn Taylor (Marlborough, Conn.) had a strong outing as well, posting seven kills with a .538 attack percentage while also putting up a match-best five blocks.

But after topping St. Francis in straight sets – 27-25, 25-23 and 25-16 – the Bulldogs (4-6) had a tougher time against another league rival in Fairleigh Dickinson (4-8), as the Knights came back to win the nightcap after falling behind, 1-0, to start out the contest.

FDU saw all-tournament team pick Meaghan Wheeler dole out 21 kills and put up 18 digs as the Knights benefited from seven service aces – three of them from Wheeler – and seven service errors from the Black and Gold. But the Knights struggled themselves on the serve, committing 10 miscues of their own.

Still, FDU's .205 attack percentage trumped the Bulldogs' .101, despite being outblocked by Bryant, 8-5, on the match. Junior setter Jadith Lorenzo (Lawrence, Mass.) recorded five block assists with 33 helpers to lead Bryant in the match, a contest-high number equaled by Taylor. Senior Emily Kaup (Chandler, Ariz.) paced the Black and Gold with a season-high 11 kills, while Taylor added another seven with a match-best .417 hitting percentage.

On the three-match Kaiser Classic, Clyburn paced the team with 23 kills and added nine blocks, while Taylor led the Bulldogs in the latter category, putting up 11 stuffs. Lorenzo amassed 83 assists on the weekend, while senior Macy Mitravich (Waimanalo, Hawaii) registered 42 digs.

The Bulldogs' next outing will come in front of the home crowd, as Bryant hosts the University of New Hampshire at the Chace Athletic Center Tuesday night (7 p.m.) in the 2012 home opener.