Bryant moves to 3-0 in NEC with four-set win over Central Connecticut

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University volleyball team opened Northeast Conference play 3-0 for the second time in three years with a four-set win over Central Connecticut Friday night at the Chace Athletic Center.

Game Information
Bryant 3, Central Connecticut 1 (25-20, 22-25, 25-15, 25-23)
Records: Bryant (12-8, 3-0 NEC); Central Connecticut (8-6, 1-2 NEC)
Location: Chace Athletic Center (Smithfield, R.I.)

Coach Garlacy's Comments
"We played at a great tempo at times tonight, having great runs. Both teams were very intense on defense. Our pin hitters were very effective and we were able to set a very consistent block. Sydney Gorski stepped in and gave us an energy lift in the middle. Once again, this team showed great composure under pressure, coming from behind in the fourth set to win the match."

How it Happened

• Set 1 – Bryant jumped out to a 13-7 lead before five straight CCSU points forced a Bulldogs timeout. The Bulldogs responded with a 7-1 run to take control of the set. Junior Grace Richmeyer (DeSoto, Mo.) tallied two blocks during the run as the Bulldogs won the first set 25-20.
• Set 2 – The Bulldogs led 10-7 before a 5-0 Blue Devils run turned the tables. Bryant retook the lead at 21-20 before CCSU answered with a 5-1 run to close out the set at 25-22.
• Set 3 – CCSU opened with a 3-0 lead, but Bryant responded with seven straight points to lead 7-3. The Blue Devils answered with a 5-0 run, but the Bulldogs then rattled off seven of the next eight points to gain the upper hand. Bryant tallied four blocks in the set.
• Set 4 – The Blue Devils led 15-9 and 21-17 until the Bulldogs answered to win the match. Bryant tied the set at 21 on a block from junior Kirstyn Sperry (Phoenix, Ariz.) and sophomore Sydney Gorski (Chagrin Falls, Ohio) and closed it out on a kill from junior Julia Flynn (Pembroke, Mass.) for the four-set victory. 

Stats/Notes                                                         

• Flynn had a team-high 17 kills in the victory.
• Senior Ally Lunsford (Minneola, Fla.) notched 14 kills on a .414 hitting percentage and added five blocks.
• Richmeyer tallied a career-high 10 blocks in the victory.
• Freshman Erika Ward (Rochester, Mich.) recorded 20 digs, while junior Kristin Kingi (Thousand Oaks, Calif.) had a season-high 16.
• The Bulldogs have won 15 straight home matches and are 33-3 at the Chace Athletic Center since the start of 2015. The streak is the sixth-longest home winning streak in the nation.

Up Next
Bryant is back in action Friday, Oct. 6, for a 5 p.m. match at Fairleigh Dickinson.