Sperry honored as RIAIAW Distinguished Student-Athlete

KINGSTON, R.I. – Bryant University volleyball senior Kirstyn Sperry (Phoenix, Ariz.) has been named a 2019 Distinguished Student-Athlete by the Rhode Island Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (RIAIAW), presented Monday evening at a reception at the Ryan Center on the campus of the University of Rhode Island.

Sperry was one of nine student-athletes honored at the annual event that recognizes the top female competitors in the state of Rhode Island. She was joined by Jennifer Agell (Sailing, Roger Williams), Mikaila Amerantes (Track & Field, University of Rhode Island), Maria Coniglio (Volleyball, Johnson & Wales), Emma Landroche (Track & Field, Rhode Island College), Sam Muller (Soccer/Softball, Community College of Rhode Island), Jovana Nogic (Basketball, Providence), Amanda Riley (Softball, Salve Regina) and Taylor Will (Basketball, Brown).

"Kirstyn Sperry is the consummate distinguished student-athlete," said head coach Theresa Garlacy. "She thrives on and off the court, is always driven to succeed, and has completed a program-changing career. The footprint she has left on the volleyball program is huge and her legacy of commitment and competitive spirit will live on in those that follow her."

"It's such an honor to receive this award, especially surrounded by all of the strong women who were also recipients," said Sperry. "I am so grateful to Bryant, my teammates, coaches and family."

Sperry served as a captain for Bryant in 2018 as the Bulldogs won a Division I program-record 22 matches and the Northeast Conference Championship for the first time in program history. Bryant won 81 matches in Sperry's four years in Smithfield – the most in a four-year stretch in the Bulldogs' D1 era – and Sperry was part of the first senior class at Bryant to qualify for four consecutive Northeast Conference tournaments.

The setter from Arizona finishes her Bulldog career as the only player in Bryant's time in D1 with 2,500 assists, 1,000 digs and 100 aces. Her 173 career aces are the most by a Division I Bryant player and she ranks third in Bryant's Division I era in career assists and digs at the conclusion of her career.

The Bryant University volleyball team begins its 2019 campaign and defense of its Northeast Conference Championship when the Bulldogs open the season in Aug. 30-31 at FGCU. The full 2019 schedule will be announced later this week.

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