Red Flash sneak past Bulldogs, 3-2

SMITHFIELD, R.I. — Junior Elena Lohr (Loveland, Ohio) recorded her second-straight double-double and sophomore Claire Van Dyk (New Richmond, Wis.) added another of her own, but the Bryant University volleyball team couldn't stop Hannah Kutny and Saint Francis, falling on the road Friday afternoon, 3-2.

Lohr's 15 kills paced the Bulldogs (8-19, 3-5 Northeast Conference) and the captain added 14 digs, two aces and three blocks while Van Dyk posted a team-leading 15 digs with 14 kills and the only solo stuff of the match. Kutny posted a contest-best 24 kills for the Red Flash (3-18, 3-5) and was one of four players to finish with double-figure kills for the home side.

The Bulldogs got out in front first in the match, winning set one, 28-26, before Saint Francis evened the score with a 25-22 victory in the second. The hosts would take a 2-1 advantage after the third frame, 25-21, but Bryant would prevail in the fourth, 25-22, to force the deciding set five. But in the end, the Red Flash would take the decider, 15-11, earning their third victory of the season.

Rookie Carissa Gould (Woonsocket, R.I.) posted 20 assists (8 digs) for Bryant, with 15 more coming from classmate Mallory Wilczynski (Cary, Ill.). Senior Alexandria Clyburn (Cartersville, Ga.) added eight kills with an ace and two blocks, while Wilczynski and fellow frosh Sara DePouw (Oconto, Wis.) paced the match with four blocks apiece. Senior libero Mikayla LaRosa (Marysville, Wash.) added 14 digs for the Black and Gold.

Kayla Jeckell picked up a double-double for Saint Francis (12 kills, 12 digs) while Sophie Murdock and Maria Cup chipped in 11 and 10 kills, respectively. Breanna Kochinsky's 19 digs were a match best while Alanna Blenkarn registered 51 assists with three aces.

The Bulldogs are back at it Saturday against Robert Morris at 1 p.m.