Rookies lead as Bulldogs cruise past Providence, 3-0, Tuesday night

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Freshman Sophie Hoekstra (Millersville, Md.) recorded at match-high 15 kills while sophomore setter Vika Nesterov (Kfar Saba, Israel) picked up her fourth-straight double-double as the Bryant University volleyball team swept Providence College, 3-0, Tuesday night at home.

Rookie Kristin Kingi (Thousand Oaks, Calif.) had a big night of her own for the undefeated Bulldogs (4-0), putting down 12 kills with nine digs and two blocks. Nesterov finished the night with seven kills, 27 assists and 10 digs, while senior libero Debora Magalhaes (Belo Horizonte, Brazil) totaled a match-best 12 digs.

Kayla Fitzgerald paced the Friars (1-3) with 13 kills, while Allison Impellizeri added 12 more. Jordan Wiesler dished out a match-best 34 assists, while Michelle Cruz paced the PC defense with eight digs.

The Bulldogs took an early 5-1 edge in the opening frame and maintained that lead throughout the stanza, building a game-high nine-point, 24-15 advantage before a Hoekstra kill – her fifth of the game – sealed the 25-16 victory.

PC threatened to take over its first lead of the match midway through the second, but a serving error and Bryant block a few points later renewed a three-point, 18-15 edge for the Black and Gold.

The Friars would come back to take their first lead of the match at 20-19, and the teams would trade points all the way to 23-23. But an attack error on Fitzgerald gave the Black and Gold the first opportunity to win the game, and Kingi would take advantage, hammering home the kill after a spectacular diving save by Magalhaes on defense.

The third set stayed close through the opening points, with PC tying the score at 7-7. Two aces from frosh Margot Ruffieux (Cary, N.C.) put the Bulldogs out in front 15-11, and while the hosts would lead by five, 20-15, the visitors would close that gap quickly to just two points, 21-19. But the Bulldogs wouldn't lose the lead, using an Ally Lunsford (Minneola, Fla.) kill to secure the 3-0 match win with a 25-22 victory.

As a team, Bryant hit an impressive .358 with six aces (three from Ruffieux) and four team blocks. The Friars hit .243 with four aces. Senior Taylor Onoyan (Crystal Lake, Ill.) paced the match on the block with three.

The Bulldogs now hit the road for the next two weeks, heading to Storrs, Conn., Friday and Saturday for the UConn Dog Pound Challenge. Bryant takes on the Huskies Friday at 12:30 p.m. to open tournament play.