Bulldogs downed by Eastern Michigan, 3-0

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Sophomore Claire Van Dyk (New Richmond, Wis.) picked up a match-best nine kills, but the Bryant University volleyball team would fall in straight sets to Eastern Michigan Friday in the opener of the Brown Invitational.

The Bulldogs (0-8) hit just .111 in the outing and allowed the Eagles (5-4) 13 aces – including six from Stacy Perinar – to drop the weekend tournament's opening bout, 25-12, 25-11, 25-17. Senior Kaitlyn Klein (Modesto, Calif.) and rookie Sara DePouw (Oronto, Wis.) added four kills apiece while junior captain Elena Lohr (Loveland, Ohio) paced the side with 11 digs. Sophomore setter Jana Kmec (Stratford, Conn.) chipped in 19 of the team's 25 assists with a quartet of digs as well.

On the other side of the ball, Erin Short paced Eastern Michigan with seven kills while Paige Roback added six more as the Eagles hit .289 as a team. Six different players served up aces in the matchup, while Corynne Smith led the game on defense with 13 digs. Jill Briner and Alyssa Davis shared the setting duties en route to 15 and 12 helpers, respectively, while EMU outblocked Bryant, 12-2, as a team.

The Bulldogs return to action with a pair of matches Saturday, kicking off the day with a 12:30 p.m. bout against host and intrastate rival Brown in search of their first victory of the season. Bryant will wrap up tournament action at 4:30 p.m. against Holy Cross.