VB looks to draw even vs RMU, Saint Francis

BULLDOGS LOOK TO AVENGE LOSS AGAINST ROBERT MORRIS, SAINT FRANCIS (PA) AT HOME WITH WEEKEND SET

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University volleyball team is looking to add two more home wins onto its record this weekend as the Bulldogs take on Northeast Conference rivals Robert Morris Saturday at 4 p.m. and Saint Francis (PA) Sunday at 1 p.m. at the Chace Athletic Center.

This is the second meeting of the 2012 season between Bryant (9-15, 3-5 NEC) and each of its weekend visitors. The Bulldogs are looking to redeem themselves after falling to Robert Morris (10-13, 6-2) in the conference opener, 3-1, on Sept. 22 and dropping a 3-2 decision to the Red Flash (9-12, 5-3) the following day on the road.

Junior Kendall Gaffney (Colorado Springs, Colo.) enters weekend action off a standout performance in Wednesday night's 3-1 victory over Quinnipiac, where she recorded her second-consecutive double-double, and will be an important asset to the team during the weekend competitions.

Freshman Claire Van Dyk (New Richmond, Wis.) has had an impressive first year to say the least, leading the conference with 37 service aces and pacing the Bulldogs in kills with 248 (2.76 per set), while junior Alexandria Clyburn (Cartersville, Ga.) and senior captain Emily Kaup (Chandler, Ariz.) enter the match tied for a team-best 78 total blocks on the season.

The Colonials are currently tied for second place in the conference standings and will provide tough competition for the Bulldogs. Robert Morris is led by senior Lindsey Monger, who has 290 kills and 262 digs on the 2012 season, both the highest totals on the team. Monger and senior Amanda Craig both recorded 15 or more kills in their most recent victory over Fairleigh Dickinson, 3-1, Oct. 14.

Last time these teams met, Bryant saw a balanced attack with five different players recording at least six kills, as Clyburn and Van Dyk led the way with nine and seven kills, respectively. Robert Morris was paced by a double-double from Monger that included a match-best 14 kills, while Craig chipped in 13 more to compliment three blocks.

The Red Flash pose as another competitive threat to the Bulldogs Sunday afternoon. Junior Breanna Kochinsky enters the match with a team-best 211 digs on the season, while senior Elizabeth Williams has 208 kills to pace Saint Francis (PA). Williams has also served up 29 aces on the year, including three during the first meeting with Bryant in Loretto, Pa., Sept 23.

Against Saint Francis (PA) on the road, Bryant led, 2-0, in the match but saw the home team come from behind to drop the Bulldogs in a 3-2 heartbreaker. Van Dyk and Clyburn recorded 16 and 13 kills, respectively, while senior Jadith Lorenzo (Lawrence, Mass.) recorded a double-double (44 assists, 18 digs) and three aces for the Bulldogs.

The Bulldogs enter weekend play off back-to-back victories and are looking for their first winning streak of the season. Can't make it to the game? Watch it LIVE on NEC Front Row.