Bulldogs announce All-Decade Team
SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University volleyball program announced its All-Decade Team on Thursday and highlights twelve standout Bulldogs who graced the Black & Gold with success over the past 10 years.
"This list of players carried the torch from the success of our Division II teams and took seriously the work of keeping Bryant Volleyball a contender in the Northeast, just at a whole new level," said Garlacy. "The group is dominated by outside hitters, long a staple of Bryant's continued success, two setters who profoundly raised the culture of the program, a couple of the best blockers to ever wear the Black and Gold and two defenders who were relentless in the pursuit of excellence on and off the court."
Over the past decade, the Bulldogs have fought their way to become a top program in the NEC and the northeast region. The Black and Gold have proven to be consistent by averaging 15 wins per season over the ten-year period including Bryant's best season of the decade occurring in 2018 with a record-breaking 22 wins and the program's first-ever NEC title. The Championship win sent the Bulldogs to its 12th NCAA Tournament appearance, first in the Division I era, at No. 2 Minnesota.
Bryant was also awarded numerous individual and team awards across several organizations including three NEC Setters of the Year, two NEC Rookies of the Year, six First Team All-NEC selections, and 10 Second Team All-NEC honorees. In addition, the Bulldogs have also been honored one Bryant Athletics Athlete of the Year, one Kati Machtley Career Award, one NCAA Women of the Year nominee, three RIAIAW Distinguished Student-Athlete of the year recipients, one Dr. Williams T. Ohara Leadership award, and one CoSIDA Academic All-American.
The leader of the Black and Gold, Theresa Garlacy, also added to her long list of accolades through the 2010's with her first NEC Coach of the Year honor in 2015. Garlacy led the Bulldogs to their best season at that point in the program with 19 overall wins and 10 against NEC foes, including a perfect 14-0 mark at home. During that season, Bryant appeared in its first-ever NEC postseason tournament that sparked a trend of four-straight postseason berths. Garlacy continued to make history in 2018 when she grabbed a monumental 500th career win at home on September 8, 2018, in a sweep against Coppin State. Now, Garlacy enters her 25th season at the helm when the Bulldogs begin their season this spring of 2021.
The All-Decade team includes 12 Bulldogs from both the past and present.
2014-2019: Julia Flynn ('18 '19 MBA)
A five-year member of the Bulldogs from the 2014-2018 seasons appearing in 103 matches and 374 sets … A two-time First Team All-NEC selection as a sophomore and junior, and First Team All-NEC selection as a senior … Earned NEC All-Tournament honors as a freshman … Appeared on ESPN for highlight-reel plays in September 2017 … Earned Bryant Female Athlete of the Year as a senior in 2019 … Recorded three Molten/NEC Player of the Week laurels throughout her four seasons … Finished her career with 37 career double-double performances … Posted a career-best 34 kills vs. Robert Morris (10/23/16), 3 assists vs. LIU Brooklyn (11/5/16), five aces at St. Francis Brooklyn (10/27/17), 23 digs, twice, last vs. Central Connecticut (11/16/18), and five blocks vs. LIU Brooklyn (11/9/18) … Has her name littered throughout Bryant's Division I Record Book: first in D1 and all-time single-match kills with 34 vs. Robert Morris on 10/23/16, first in single-match total attempts with 72 vs. Robert Morris on 10/23/16, first in single-match (three-set) kills with 21 at St. Francis Brooklyn, third in single-match (three-set) service aces with 5 at St. Francis Brooklyn on 10/27/17, first in single-match (four-set) kills with 24 at Fairleigh Dickinson on 11/13/16, first in single-match (four-set) total attempts with 59 at Fairleigh Dickinson on 11/13/16, third in single-season kills with 373 in 2017 and sixth with 350 in 2018, first in single-season kills per set with 3.30 in 2017 and second with 3.27 in 2018, seventh in single-season total attempts with 990 in 2017 and tenth with 963 in 2018, seventh in career attack percentage with .189 (1147-568-3063), third in career kills with 1,147, first in career kills per set with 3.07, third in career total attempts with 3,063, ninth in career digs with 976 and eighth in career digs per set with 2.61.
Coach Garlacy: "Julia Flynn was one of the most dominant hitters to wear the Black and Gold. Her power made her difficult to stop, even for the league's best blockers. A key member of our receive team, she was always a consistent passer and was avoided by opponents. Her spectacular defensive plays earned us a few clips on SportsCenter as well. The willingness to throw her body around to keep the ball in play was impressive."
2014-2015: Debora Magalhaes ('16)
A two-year member of the Black and Gold as a junior transfer from Lee University … Appeared in 67 matches and 251 sets during her two-year career … Earned back-to-back Second Team All-NEC honors … A five-time NEC Defensive Player of the Week across two years … Ranked 11th nationally, first in the NEC, with 660 digs as a junior before ranking fifth nationally with 699 digs, and eighth nationally in digs per set with 5.64 as a senior … Tallied eight 30-dig matches during her career … Recorded double-figure digs in all but four matches in her career … Named to the Iona Tournament and UConn Tournament All-Tournament Teams as a junior … An NCAA Women of the Year Nominee … RIAIAW Distinguished Student-Athlete of the Year … Ranks throughout Bryant's Division I record book including most notably: first in single-match digs with 38 at Central Connecticut on 11/6/15, second in single-match (three-set) digs with 29 at Saint Francis U on 11/15/15, second in single-match (five-set) with 34 digs vs. Saint Francis U on 10/4/14, first in single-season digs with 699 in 2015 and second with 660 in 2014, first in single-season digs per set with 5.64 in 2015 and second with 5.20 in 2014, third in career digs with 1,359, and first in D1 and all-time career digs per set with 5.41.
Coach Garlacy: "Debora Magalhaes was only here for two years as a transfer libero, but she made her mark instantly. She was such a leader on and off the court, and her personality and confidence made you just want to follow her. An intense defender, Deb inspired her teammates to play better every time on the court."
2014-2016: Vika Nesterov Katzen ('17)
A four-year member of the Black and Gold who red-shirted her first season … Appeared in 100 matches and 370 sets across three years … A two-time NEC Setter of the Year and two-time First Team All-NEC honoree … Earned NEC All-Tournament honors as a senior … Named ECAC First Team All-Star as a senior … Earned ECAC Player of the Week in 2015 and NEC Rookie of the Week in 2014 … Recipient of the Katie Machtley Career Award at Bryant as a senior … Tallied 57 double-doubles across her career … Led the NEC with 1,034 assists as a sophomore … Helped pace the Bulldogs in the NEC in total assists (1494), ranking them sixth in the nation ... Contributed to the Bulldogs' second-place rank in assists per game (73rd nationally) ... Became just the fourth player in Division I program history to finish with more than 2,500 career assists and 1,000 career digs … Finished her career with 2,906 assists and 1,0001 digs … Has her name scattered throughout the Division I record book but most notably ranks first in single-match assists with 62 against Saint Francis U on 10/18/15 and second with 59 assists vs. Holy Cross on 10/13/14, second in single-season assists with 1,034 in 2015, fourth with 1,004 assists in a single-season, and sixth with 868 assists in 2016, ranks second in career assists with 2,906, second in career assists per set with 7.85.
Coach Garlacy: "Vika Nesterov Katzen and Kirstyn Sperry were both game-changers for our program. Offensive minded setters, they were often asked to score points for us as well as put their teammates in line to score. Both were top servers on our team and in the league. They were consistently in the top three for every statistical category. In the classroom, they also mirrored each other as distinguished student-athletes and challenged their teammates to do the same."
2015-2018: Kirstyn Sperry ('19)
A four-year member of the Black and Gold appearing in 134 matches and 496 sets … Named NEC Setter of the Year and First Team All-NEC as a junior in 2017 … Second Team All-NEC as a sophomore in 2016 … Earned the Mason Invitational Tournament MVP as a sophomore at George Mason … Tallied 60 career double-doubles … Named RIAIAW Distinguished Student-Athlete of the Year in 2019 … Helped the Bulldogs win its first-ever NEC Championship in 2018 … Senior CLASS Award nominee … Posted career-highs with 14 kills, twice, last at Providence (9/20/16), 50 assists vs. Central Connecticut (11/17/17), seven assists vs. Syracuse (9/15/17), 25 digs vs. Central Connecticut (11/17/17), and five blocks, twice, last at Sacred Heart (10/7/17) … Ranks throughout Bryant's Division I record book at second in single-match service aces with 7 vs. Syracuse on 9/15/13, third in single-season assists with 1,014 in 2018, first in single-season service aces with 50 in 2018 and fourth with 41 in 2015, 2016, and 2017, second in single-season service aces/set with 0.37 in 2018 and third with 0.35 in 2015 and 2016, third in career assists with 2,683, third in assists/set with 5.41, first in career service aces with 173, first in service aces/set with 0.35, fifth in career digs with 1,214, tied for first for matches played appearing in 134.
Coach Garlacy: "Vika Nesterov Katzen and Kirstyn Sperry were both game-changers for our program. Offensive minded setters, they were often asked to score points for us as well as put their teammates in line to score. Both were top servers on our team and in the league. They were consistently in the top three for every statistical category. In the classroom, they also mirrored each other as distinguished student-athletes and challenged their teammates to do the same."
2018 – Present: Caroline Kennedy ('22)
A current member of the Black and Gold as a junior in 2020-21 … A two-time NEC Second Team Selection as a freshman and sophomore … Earned Hampton Inn-vitational MVP as a rookie … Earned Molten/NEC Rookie of the Week twice in 2018 … Helped the Bulldogs bring home its first-ever NEC Championship as a freshman … Posts career-bests with 20 kills, twice, last at Hartford on 9/25/18, three aces vs. Central Michigan on 11/15/19, 14 digs vs. Marist on 8/25/18, and five blocks, three times, last at LIU on 10/19/19 … Ranks fourth in Bryant D1 record book in single-match attack percentage with .611 (12-1-18) at Fairleigh Dickinson on 9/27/19, second in single-season attack percentage in 2019 with .282 (296-104-680), first in single-season kills with 409 in 2018, third in single-season total attempts with 1,060 in 2018, third in career attack percentage with .241 (705-285-1740), second in career kills per set with 2.82.
Coach Garlacy: "Caroline Kennedy is a bundle of explosive energy who pummels the ball. Her infectious spirit and joy on the court shows through every practice and match. She loves to hit a fast-tempo ball and burn the block."
A four-year member of the Black and Gold appearing in 120 matched and 418 sets … Named to the Iona All-Tournament Team as a senior … Led the Bulldogs in kills (334) and aces (29), and was second on team in digs (306) and third in digs per set (2.66) as a senior … Recorded 15 double-doubles in 2014 … Tallied 27 double-digit kills in a single-match throughout her career … Posted career-highs with 22 kills vs. LaSalle (9/13/14), 55 assists vs. Fairleigh Dickinson (11/9/13), nine aces at St. Francis Brooklyn (9/29/13), 24 digs at Holy Cross (10/28/14), and five blocks vs. Fairleigh Dickinson (11/9/13) … Her name is littered throughout the Division I record book at Bryant, most notably: ranks first in single-match service aces with nine at St. Francis Brooklyn on 9/29/13 and second with seven at Holy Cross on 10/28/14, first in single three-set match total attempts with 45 vs. Columbia on 9/20/14 and second with 41 at Akron on 9/5/14, second in single four-set match total attempts with 58 vs. UMass Lowell on 8/29/14, first in single-season total attempts with 1,165 in 2014, fourth in career service aces with 100, fourth in career digs with 1,220, and fourth in career digs/set with 2.86.
Coach Garlacy: "Elena Lohr was a typical hard-nosed Bulldog defender who also led our attack for several years. As an undersized outside, Elena surprised many opponents with her aggressive and smart play. One of the toughest kids to play for Bryant and never left a ball untouched or unpursued."
2013-16: Sara DePouw ('17 – MPAC '18)
A four-year member of the Bulldogs who redshirted her junior season … Appeared in 92 matches and 318 sets throughout her career … Registered 27 double-digit kills matches during her career … Named to the Hampton Inn-vitational and Akron Invitational All-Tournament Teams as a sophomore … Posts career-bests with 17 kills vs. Robert Morris (10/5/14), five aces at Brown (9/14/13), 11 digs at FDU (11/9/13), and nine blocks vs. Holy Cross (10/8/13) … Ties for fifth in Bryant's D1 record book in both single-match block assists vs. Holy Cross on 9/14/13 and single three-set match kills with 15 vs. Manhattan on 9/10/14, ties for third in single three-set match service aces with five at Brown on 9/14/13, ties for third in single three-set match total blocks with seven vs. Robert Morris on 10/13/13, tied for fifth in single-season attack percentage with .251 in both 2013 (235-96-554) and 2014 (265-98-665), fifth in career attack percentage with .224 (750-316-1936), fifth in career kills with 750, fifth in career kills per set with 2.36, seventh in career block assists with 180, seventh in career total blocks with 191, and seventh in career blocks per set with 0.60.
Coach Garlacy: "Sara DePouw overcame a double ACL tear of the same knee and still came back to compete and be a unique attack threat from all three front row positions. A very versatile player, she saw the court and reacted quickly to shut down attackers."
A four-year member of the volleyball program appearing in 111 matches and 350 sets … Ranked second on the team as a senior with 264 kills on the year … Posts career-highs with 20 kills against FDU (10/31/15), five assists vs. Saint Francis (10/4/14), six digs, twice, last vs. Central Connecticut (11/17/17), and seven blocks vs. Sacred Heart (11/4/17) … Ties for fifth in Bryant D1 record book in single three-set match kills with 15 vs. New Hampshire on 9/6/16, fourth in single three-set match total attempts vs. New Hampshire on 9/6/16, tied for fifth in single four-set match kills with 20 vs. FDU on 10/31/15, tenth in career attack percentage with .142 (720-418-2133), seventh in career kills with 720, sixth in career kills per set with 2.06, fifth in career total attempts with 2,133.
Coach Garlacy: "Kiley Robbins developed into a go-to offensive threat by sheer will and determination. Another big jumper, Kiley learned that you can do whatever you put your mind to. Her 'never quit' attitude along with her strong work ethic propelled her onto this list."
A four-year member of the Bulldogs appearing in 116 matches and 410 sets … Finished third in the NEC with a .295 hitting percentage as a senior … Earned NEC Rookie of the Week honors in 2014 … Third-team CoSIDA Academic All-America honoree as a senior … Posted career-bests with 14 kills, four times, last vs. Central Connecticut (11/17/17), four aces vs. Iona (8/29/15), and nine blocks, four times, last vs. Sacred Heart (11/4/17) … Tied for fifth in Bryant's D1 record book in single-match block assists with nine at Sacred Heart on 11/13/14, tied for third in single three-set match total blocks with seven vs. FDU on 10/19/14 and vs. Providence on 9/2/14, first in single-season attack percentage with .295 (233-62-580) in 2017, seventh in single-season block solos with 10 in 2015 and 2016, first in career attack percentage with .266 (727-249-1795), sixth in career kills with 727, second in career block solos with 36, second in career block assists with 326, second in career total blocks with 362, and second in career blocks/set with 0.88.
Coach Garlacy: "Ally Lunsford was one of the most prolific blockers to play for Bryant and was a dominate attacker both in front and behind the setter. With a head for the game, she reads the opponent's offense and shuts down some of the best attackers in the Northeast Conference. She was also an Academic All-American during her senior year."
A four-year member of the Bryant volleyball program appearing in 134 matches and 492 sets … A two-time Second Team All-NEC honoree as a senior and freshman … Earned NEC Rookie of the week twice in 2015 … Notched 18 double-doubles during her senior season … Helped the Bulldogs bring home its first-ever NEC Championship title … Posts career-bests with 21 kills vs. Holy Cross (10/13/15), 26 digs vs. LIU Brooklyn (11/9/18), and three blocks, four times, last vs. St. Francis Brooklyn (11/10/18) … Has her name littered throughout Bryant's D1 record book, most notably: third in single-match total attempts with 60 at Sacred Heart on 11/2/18, tied for fifth in single three-set match kills with 15 at Central Connecticut on 10/12/18, tied for second in single four-set match kills with 21 vs. Holy Cross on 10/13/15, third in single five-set match total attempts with 60 at Sacred Heart on 11/2/18, fourth in single-season kills with 363 in 2018, second in single-season total attempts with 1,093 in 2018, fourth in career kills with 868, fourth in career total attempts with 2,773, second in career digs with 1,375, fifth in career digs/set with 2.79, and ties for first with Kirstyn Sperry for most matches played in the D1 era with 134.
Coach Garlacy: "Kristin Kingi one of the best-read defensive players in the history of the program. Her ball control seemed effortless and she was also a threat in the front row. She was a student of the game and had great shots."
2017-Present: Erika Ward ('21)
A current member of the Black and Gold as a senior in 2020-21 … Appeared in 97 matches and 355 sets so far in three years … A Second Team All-NEC honoree as a sophomore … Helped the Bulldogs win their first-ever NEC Championship in 2018 … First player in program history to reach 1,000 career digs as a sophomore … Posts career-highs with 15 assists at Saint Francis (11/2/19), four aces, four times, last vs. North Dakota (9/6/19), and 32 digs vs. Central Connecticut (11/16/18) … Holds multiple records in the D1 record book, but most notably: third in single five-set match digs with 32 vs. Central Connecticut on 11/16/18, fourth in single-season digs with 556 in 2018, fifth for single-season digs/set with 4.31 in 2018, first in career digs with 1,412, and second in career digs/set with 3.99.
Coach Garlacy: "Erika Ward has one season yet to come. She is an amazing leader and demonstrates such toughness and grit. She is high-energy, intense, and fast, which are all great qualities for a libero. Nothing less than her best effort is offered at all times in every practice and every game. She sets the standards very high for her team."
A four-year member of the volleyball program appearing in 128 matches … Member of the Bryant Invitational All-Tournament Team as a junior … Earned All-Tournament Team honors at the Toldeo Tournament as a sophomore … RIAIAW Distinguished Student-Athlete of the Year … Led the team in kills (365), kills per set (2.81), points scored with 403, averaging a team-high 3.10 per set as a senior ... Ranked second on the squad with 296 digs, averaging 2.28 per set as a senior … Notched 26 double-doubles throughout her career … Posted career-highs of 24 kills vs. Holy Cross (10/5/11), four assists vs. Hartford (9/22/09), five aces, twice, last vs. Manhattan College (9/10/10), 20 digs vs. Holy Cross (10/5/11), and five blocks at Sacred Heart (9/25/11) … Ranks fifth in Bryant's D1 record book for single-match kills with 24 vs. Holy Cross on 10/5/11, tied for fifth in single-match total attempts with 58 at Hartford on 8/27/11, fifth in single-season kills with 351 in 2009, eighth in career attack percentage with .185 (1299-617-3682), second in career kills with 1,147, fourth in career kills/set with 2.68, first in career total attempts with 3,682, and sixth in career service aces with 86.
Coach Garlacy: "Jazmin Stoner was an amazing jumper and had a quick arm swing. She used her hangtime to hit over and around the block. She was quick on defense and had consistent passing."