Bryant battles, falls to No. 8 Oregon Saturday

BULLDOGS CHALLENGE BUT FALL TO EIGHTH-RANKED DUCKS, 3-0

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University volleyball team kept No. 8 Oregon on the ropes throughout the final set, but the host Ducks proved to be too much in the end as the Bulldogs fell, 3-0, in Oregon Classic action Saturday.

Sophomore Claire Van Dyk (New Richmond, Wis.) once again led the Bulldogs (0-2), posting seven kills with two blocks, while junior Jocelyn Taylor (Marlborough, Conn.) chipped in five more and a match-best five stuffs (1 solo, 4 assists) despite the 25-14, 25-14, 25-23 loss.

The Bulldogs recorded 12 blocks in total to 16 from Oregon (2-0) and got 12 digs from junior captain Elena Lohr (Loveland, Ohio). Sophomore Jana Kmec (Stratford, Conn.) once again ran the offense and picked up 14 assists in the outing (7 digs). Kaitlyn Klein (Modesto, Calif.) added four kills while rookies Mallory Wilczynski (Cary, Ill.) and Sara DePouw (Oconto, Wis.) added three apiece.

Bethany Bair paced the Ducks with 10 kills and two aces, also adding nine digs and a trio of blocks. Natalie Bookout Gonzalez recorded 19 digs to pace the matchup, while Shellsy Ashen dished out 26 assists. Five different Oregon players served up aces in the contest.

The Bulldogs will look for their first win of the young season Saturday afternoon when they take on Eastern Washington University in the final contest of the Oregon Classic.