Bryant sweeps Merrimack to start NEC play

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University volleyball swept Merrimack in back-to-back matches to open Northeast Conference play.

Match Information
Match 1: Bryant 3, Merrimack 0 (25-14, 25-7, 25-13)
Match 2: Bryant 3, Merrimack 0 (
Records: Bryant (2-1, 2-0) | Merrimack (0-4, 0-2)
Location: Chace Athletic Center (Smithfield, R.I.)

Coach Garlacy's Comments
"Tonight we showed our tremendous depth and versatlity. Emma McGovern was so consistent and aggressive. Fabi stepped up on both pins and showed us a glimpse of her leadership potential. In her first time running the show, Mia was so aggressive, ran a fast tempo and scored quite a few points herself. Claudia was clutch from service line. The energy from both the players on the court and our bench filled us with fire. Total team effort."

How it happened – Match 1

• Set 1 – The Bulldogs posted 18 kills in the first set led by Emma McGovern with six.
• Set 2 – Bryant went on an 8-0 run to grow an eight-point cushion, 10-2, early in the second set. Merrimack took a timeout about halfway through the set, and the Bulldogs outscored the Warriors, 7-2, to take the second frame. The Bulldogs posted their best hitting percentage of the match of .478.
• Set 3 – Bryant jumped out to an 8-2 lead thanks to back-to-back kills from McGovern. The Bulldogs then went on a 7-0 run before closing out the third set, 25-13.

Stat/Game Notes – Match 1

• McGovern led with 15 kills and a hitting percentage of .480. She finished the match with five digs, one service ace, one assist, and one block.
• Alysa Wright added eight kills off 13 attempts.
• Sophomore Riley James led on the defensive side with 11 digs. She also added six kills and two blocks.
• Sophomore Mia Cergol posted 34 assists, three digs, and five kills.
• Freshman Abby Snethen led the Bulldogs with three blocks.
• Senior Erika Ward contributed eight digs and four assists.
• Fabiana Castro and Abby Rae each posted two service aces.
• The Bulldogs posted a hitting percentage of .439.

How it happened – Match 2

• Set 1 – The two teams were tied at four-all until a kill from Cergol sparked six-straight points as the Bulldogs started to pull away. Bryant grew to a 20-10 lead before outscoring the Warriors, 5-2 at the end of the set.
• Set 2 – The Bulldogs score three unanswered points, but Merrimack responded with a 4-0 run to tie it up at six apiece. Bryant took back the advantage and led 16-12 before a 12-2 run gave Bryant the set, 25-14.
• Set 3 – Bryant erupted to a 19-2 cushion and never looked back. The team posted 11 kills in the third set as well as six service aces from Claudia Borri.

Stats/Game Notes – Match 2

• Castro led with 10 kills. She finished the match with an added seven digs.
• Cergol posted 26 assists in match two. She also led the team with nine digs.
• Borri led with six service aces which ties her for fourth in Bryant's Division I single-game record book. The mark is also tied for second in a three-set match. 
• The Bulldogs posted a hitting percentage of .351 in the second match.

Up Next
Bryant hits the road for its first NEC road match on Monday, March 8 at Sacred Heart. The doubleheader is set to begin at 2 p.m.