Volleyball drops season opener to Drake on Friday

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Juniors Kirstyn Sperry (Phoenix, Ariz.) and Julia Flynn (Pembroke, Mass.) each posted a double-double but Drake University won the final three sets to defeat the Bryant University volleyball team, 3-1, on Friday night in Fullerton, Calif.

GAME INFORMATION

Bryant 1, Drake 3 (25-13, 20-25, 16-25, 18-25)

Records: Bryant (0-1), Drake (1-0)

Location: Titan Gym (Fullerton, Calif.)

COACH GARLACY'S COMMENTS

"We covered the ball extremely well and were very scrappy on defense. Erika [Ward] was super consistent on serve receive and three freshmen saw time and played with confidence."

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Set 1 – The Bulldogs dominated the opening set of the 2017 season behind 14 kills and just one attack error. Freshman Erika Ward (Rochester, Mich.) started off her career with the first kill of the set and Bryant went to score the first five points. Flynn led the Black and Gold with five kills in the set.  
• Set 2 – Bryant and Drake went back-and-forth in the second set. After Drake built a 21-18 lead, the Bulldogs battled back to make it a one-point game on an attack error. Drake, however, rattled off the next four points.  
• Set 3 – Drake raced out to an 8-2 lead but the Black and Gold rallied back to within two, 10-8. Leading 12-10, Drake used a 10-2 run to put the set away.
• Set 4 – Bryant built a 14-7 lead in the fourth set. Flynn posted four points and sophomore Sydney Gorski () posted four kills to help build the lead. Drake, however, scored nine-straight points to turn the tide and seal the victory.

STATS

• The Bulldogs hit just .149, while Drake finished at .235.
• Drake had a decided advantage at the net, posting 16 block assists in the match.
• Sperry posted 21 assists, 18 digs and five kills on the evening.
• Flynn registered 13 kills and 14 digs in her double-double effort.
• Ward posted 19 digs and just one reception error in her collegiate debut.
• Kyla Inderski led Drake with 18 kills.

MATCH NOTES

• Junior Julia Malet (San Rafael, Calif.) posted a career-high 19 assists in the match.

UP NEXT

The Bulldogs wrap up play in the Titan Tournament on Saturday with matches against UC Riverside (2:00 p.m. EST) and Cal St. Fullerton (7:30 p.m. EST).