2018 Season Preview: Outsides, Middles, Opposites
This is the first of a two-part series previewing the 2018 Bryant University volleyball team. Wednesday, BryantBulldogs.com will preview the Bulldogs' setters and liberos.
SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University volleyball team opens its 2018 season Friday in Chicago with a veteran group that includes five seniors and 11 total returners on the 15-athlete roster.
Bryant went 21-12 in 2017 and captured its first NEC regular season co-championship with an 11-3 mark in conference play. The Bulldogs return a wealth of experience at all positions, including six returners who played in at least 100 sets a year ago.
Outside Hitters
Redshirt-senior Julia Flynn (Pembroke, Mass.) returns for her fifth year in Smithfield after a 2017 campaign in which she averaged 3.30 kills per set and earned first-team All-NEC honors. Flynn was in double figures in kills in 22 of the 30 matches in which she appeared and posted 14 double-doubles in kills and digs.
Fellow senior Kristin Kingi (Thousand Oaks, Calif.) appeared in all 33 matches as a junior and was key for the Black and Gold in the back row, ranking fourth on the team in digs. Flynn and Kingi will be joined by a pair of freshmen in Caroline Kennedy (San Juan Capistrano, Calif.) and Maya Popernik (Chicago, Ill.).
"Flynn and Kingi continue to pound the ball and cover the middle back of the court with confidence. They have been working extremely hard to set a solid block on right side attackers and are very consistent in serve receive. Caroline Kennedy is already making her mark on the program and hits as hard a ball as anyone. Maya Popernik is solid defensively and an extremely smart hitter who will be a shot maker." – Theresa Garlacy
Middle Blockers
Bryant features the NEC's returning leader in blocks per set with senior Grace Richmeyer (DeSoto, Mo.) spearheading an experienced group of middles. Richmeyer tallied 0.98 blocks per set while ranking ninth in the conference in hitting percentage and third on the Bulldogs in kills.
Junior Brianna Bruny (Biscayne Park, Fla.) played in 81 sets as a sophomore, hitting .272 in 283 total attempts. Bruny made an impact on the Bulldogs' 10-2 stretch in September and hit .291 with 39 blocks in 51 sets during the month. Junior Sydney Gorski (Chagrin Falls, Ohio) appeared in 47 sets a year ago and totaled 12 blocks in 19 NEC sets. Freshman Haley O'Brien (Milton, Mass.) joins the group in 2018.
"Grace Richmeyer is a middle that makes herself available to the setter no matter what the situation. Her blocking read is spot on and she will again show why she is one of the top middles in the conference. She leads by doing and sets a great example for the younger players. Sydney Gorski is one of our best blockers and could be used in the middle or on the right side - she is reliable and versatile. Brianna Bruny is fast and jumps so high. She has a spirit about her that is calming - she makes her teammates confident and play better. If the setters can get the ball high enough and fast enough there is no stopping her. Haley O'Brien is a player that has unlimited potential. Her desire and willingness to work hard will hopefully lead to a very bright future for her." – Theresa Garlacy
Opposites
NEC Setter of the Year Kirstyn Sperry (Phoenix, Ariz.) will continue to be a key contributor on the right side for the Black and Gold in 2018. Sperry filled up the stat sheet throughout her junior campaign, ranking fifth on the team in kills and third in blocks in addition to leading Bryant in assists and aces. The Bulldogs' depth at setter will allow Coach Garlacy to use the multi-talented senior captain in both roles again in 2018.
Freshman Jenna Knight (Scottsdale, Ariz.) – who may also see time at setter – and sophomore Mackenzie Wild (Rochester, Mich.), along with contributions from Gorski, give numerous options throughout the 2018 season. Wild was limited to six sets as a freshman a year ago but has the opportunity to have an impact on the right side as a sophomore after a strong offseason.
"Joining Kirstyn Sperry and Jenna Knight on the right will be Mackenzie Wild who by sheer determination and hard work has become a favorite target of the setters. Kenny has improved all aspects of her game and can dominate on the right side." – Theresa Garlacy
Bryant begins the 2018 season Friday at 8 p.m. when the Bulldogs square off with host UIC in their first match of the UIC Invitational. The match can be seen on ESPN+.
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