Bryant falls in season opener at PC

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The Bryant University volleyball team fell to Providence, 3-1, to start the 2021 season.

Match Information
Providence 3, Bryant 1 (25-20, 25-27, 24-26, 23-25)
Records: Bryant (0-1) | Providence (1-0)
Location: Alumni Hall (Providence, R.I.)

Coach Garlacy's Comments

"We are just so thankful to the athletic department for making it possible for us to compete this spring. The team battled hard and handled pressure situations well. The ability to compete and do what we love was apparent for both teams. This was a great preparation for our conference season and shows what we need to be successful."

How it Happened

Set 1 – The set was tied at 10-all before back-to-back blocks from Alysa Wright gave the Bulldogs a two-point cushion to set themselves apart. Bryant would not allow Providence to get within two points of them for the remainder of the set.

Set 2 – A service ace from Abby Rae gave Bryant a 20-16 advantage but PC took off on a 4-0 run to tie the set at 20. Bryant then led, 24-22, but the Friars spoiled Bryant's chances at taking the second set by tying the game at 25-all. The Friars went on to get the next two points, 25-27.

Set 3 – Bryant posted nine errors in the third set, the most of the match, and PC capitalized with a .276 hitting percentage.

Set 4 – The two teams went back and forth and tied the set at 21-21 before the Friars went on a 4-0 run to get to match point. Bryant went on to score two more, but a kill from Providence's Emma Nelson ended the match, 25-23.    

Stats/Notes

• Caroline Kennedy kicked off her junior season with a career-high of 21 kills. Kennedy led both teams in the category and posted a .283 hitting percentage. She finished the game with three assists, eight digs, and four blocks.
• Senior Erika Ward led with a game-high of 20 digs.  
• Wright led the Bulldogs with a career-high of nine blocks.
• Freshman Fabiana Castro posted double-digit kills with ten in her career debut as a Bulldog.
• Junior Jenna Knight shattered her career-best with 36 assists. Before today's game, Knight held a career-high of 14 assists which was achieved against Dartmouth in 2018.
• Bryant continues to hold the Division I series record, 9-7, but fall to 10-17 all-time.

Up Next
The Bulldogs host Merrimack on March 1 for a doubleheader to kick off the Northeast Conference schedule. The first game is set to begin at 5 p.m.