Holy Cross trumps Bulldogs Wednesday

HOLY CROSS SWEEPS BULLDOGS, 3-0, WEDNESDAY NIGHT IN NON-CONFERENCE FINALE

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Junior Alexandria Clyburn (Cartersville, Ga.) and freshman Claire Van Dyk (New Richmond, Wis.) recorded seven kills apiece to lead the Bryant University volleyball team, but Holy Cross's Megan Lynch posted a double-double to vault to Crusaders to a 3-0 win Wednesday night in Worcester, Mass.

Lynch's 14 kills paced the contest and her 12 digs tied a team high for a Holy Cross (2-23) side that avenged a three-set loss to the Bulldogs (9-18) in Smithfield, R.I., earlier this season. Elizabeth Waters also picked up 12 digs for the home team while Emily Oliver's 11 kills came with a .435 attack percentage. Christiana Blakeslee posted a match-best 31 assists.

Van Dyk added 12 digs and an ace to her effort, while sophomore libero Elena Lohr (Loveland, Ohio) registered a pair of contest highs with 15 digs and a trio aces. Senior captain Jadith Lorenzo (Lawrence, Mass.) returned to the starting lineup and dished out 20 helpers.

Holy Cross owned a significant margin on the block, with two solo stuffs and 10 assists (seven team blocks) to Bryant's one solo and four block assists (three team blocks). The Crusaders hit .265 as a unit while the Black and Gold struggled on offense, swinging for 29 errors and just 31 kills.

The home side took a commanding 25-13 win for a 1-0 match advantage while the visitors forced extra points before Holy Cross ended the second frame with a 28-26 victory. Set three was another battle, but ultimately the Crusaders would sweep the match with a 25-23 win.

The Bulldogs return to Northeast Conference play Saturday night, taking on Sacred Heart in Fairfield, Conn., at 7 p.m.