Gaffney, Bryant tops Quinnipiac, 3-1

GAFFNEY'S DOUBLE-DOUBLE LEADS BULLDOGS TO 3-1 HOME WIN OVER QUINNIPIAC WEDNESDAY NIGHT

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Junior Kendall Gaffney (Colorado Springs, Colo.) recorded her second double-double in as many contests and was one of three Bulldogs to post double-figure kills as the Bryant University volleyball team overcame a first-set loss to top visiting Quinnipiac, 3-1, Wednesday night at the Chace Athletic Center.

Gaffney finished the evening with 10 kills and 18 digs while classmate Alexandria Clyburn (Cartersville, Ga.) and freshman Claire Van Dyk (New Richmond, Wis.) paced the Bulldogs (9-15, 3-5 Northeast Conference) with 12 kills apiece. Chandler Thornton led the match with 14 kills for the Bobcats (1-16, 0-8).

Quinnipiac jumped out ahead in the match with a 25-21 win in the opening frame, and all four sets were battles between the two sides. The match featured 33 ties and 15 lead changes as the Black and Gold prevailed in the final three sets, 25-23, 25-21 and 25-19, to clinch the 3-1 victory.

Brittanie Robinson recorded Quinnipiac's only double-double with 29 helpers and 10 digs, while Bulldog junior Leigh Fishback (Edmonds, Wash.) tied Robinson's match-best assist number. Sophomore Elena Lohr (Loveland, Ohio) paced the contest on defense with 22 digs, while senior captain Macy Mitravich (Waimanalo, Hawaii) added 14 digs as the home side won the margin in the category, 75-66.

Rookie Jana Kmec (Stratford, Conn.) chipped in 22 assists for Bryant as Lohr led the side with three service aces. Tanner Celestin served up four perfect balls to set the match high and lead the Bobcats in out-acing their hosts, 9-6.

Bonnie Conklin's four blocks were a match best for visiting Quinnipiac, who saw 7.5 team blocks to Bryant's six (led by three block assists from Clyburn and Gaffney). As a team, the Bulldogs hit at a .178 clip on the day, seeing their top team percentage in the third set (.205).

Bryant remains home for a weekend of NEC action and will host Robert Morris Saturday at 4 p.m. before welcoming Saint Francis (PA) to the Chace Athletic Center Sunday at 1 p.m. Can't make it to the game? Tune in to NEC Front Row for a live FREE webcast.