Bryant falls at Saint Francis, 3-1, Saturday

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University volleyball team dropped a tough decision to Saint Francis U., 3-1, Saturday afternoon in Loretto, Pa.

The Red Flash (10-14, 6-4 Northeast Conference) grinded out a first set victory, 27-25, before taking the second with ease, en route to their four-set, 3-1 victory over the Bulldogs (9-20, 4-5 NEC).

Freshman Natascha Scarff (Geneva, Switzerland) led the way for the Black and Gold with 18 kills to go along with 10 digs, while sophomore Sara DePouw (Oconto, Wis.) had seven kills and three blocks.

After jumping out to a 3-0 lead to open the first set, Bryant let its slim lead slip away as Saint Francis opened up a 19-13 edge. The Bulldogs rallied back to take a late lead, 25-24, but it wasn't enough as the hosts scored the next three points to take the game, 27-25.

The second set began exactly the same as the first for Bryant, opening a 3-0 advantage, but Saint Francis regrouped and took control once again midway through the set en route to the 25-16 set win. In the third, the Bulldogs were the ones with the late rally to take back the momentum and the set, 25-19.

In the fourth, Bryant saw yet another lead slip out of their fingers as the Red Flash overcame a 10-7 deficit to take the set and the match, 25-19.

Freshmen Kiley Robbins (Garland, Texas) and Alexandra Lunsford (Minneola, Fla.) combined for 13 kills for Bryant while redshirt freshman Vika Nesterov (Kfar Saba, Isreal) dished out 37 assists in the losing effort.

Right on the cusp of the top four in the NEC standings, the Bulldogs will wrap up their Pennsylvania trip at second-place Robert Morris on Sunday at noon.