Vball hosts SFC and LIU this weekend

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University volleyball team will wrap up its regular season and honor its five-member senior class this weekend as it hosts St. Francis Brooklyn and LIU Brooklyn on Saturday and Sunday at the Chace Athletic Center.

The Bulldogs (8-23, 3-9 NEC) open the weekend against the Terriers (6-24, 2-10) on Saturday at 3:00 p.m. before hosting the Blackbirds (19-7, 11-0) on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. for Senior Day.

Bryant enters the weekend looking to snap a five-game slide and end the season on a high note. The Bulldogs earned a 3-0 win over the Terriers at the end of September in Brooklyn. Bryant has been paced by the play of sophomore Claire Van Dyk (New Richmond, Wisc.) and junior Elena Lohr (Loveland, Ohio). Van Dyk leads the Black and Gold with 330 kills and also has 264 digs. Lohr is coming off a double-double performance on Sunday at Sacred Heart and has 159 kills, 144 assists and 316 digs.

The Terriers have struggled this season and come to Smithfield on a seven-game losing streak. Maggie Niu leads the team with 257 kills and Kamalei Clifton and Kelly O'Halloran both have over 300 assists with 368 and 355, respectively.

The NEC preseason favorite, LIU has put together another outstanding season and are looking to wrap up a perfect conference regular season. The Blackbirds have won six-straight matches and have lost just two sets in NEC play. Annika Foit has posted 314 kills and 220 digs and Vera Djuric leads the team with 888 assists.

Prior to the match with LIU, the Bulldogs will honor five seniors – Alexandria Clyburn, Kaitlyn Klein, Leigh Fishback, Kendall Gaffney and Mikayla LaRosa – playing the final home game of their careers.