Volleyball Sweeps Sacred Heart

SMITHFIELD, R.I.- The Bryant women's volleyball team opened conference play with a 3-0 win over Sacred Heart. 

Match Information

Bryant 3, Sacred Heart 0 (36-34, 25-20, 25-23)

Records: Bryant 8-8 (1-0), Sacred Heart (6-6, 0-1)

Location: Smithfield, R.I.

Coach Garlacy's Comments: 

Tonight all the hard work and effort the team put in this season to this point came to fruition. Multiple players stepped up at crucial times and we executed under pressure. Emma was key to keeping our composure, and Mia Cergol made great decisions, keeping their blockers guessing. It's a great start to conference play.

How it Happened:

Set 1: Sacred Heart got out to a 7-4 lead early in the first set, but Bryant was able to string together a few scoring runs to take the lead. The Pioneers were able to tie the match at 20, and the two teams continued to trade points well into extended play. Eventually, the Bulldogs were able to put the match away by a score of 36-34. Emma McGovern led the set with nine kills, including the 500th of her career.

Set 2: Bryant scored the first four points of the second set, and held the lead until SHU came back to tie it at 13. The Pioneers opened up a five point lead before Bryant came back to tie the set at 20 and eventually take it, 25-23. Caroline Kennedy had six kills in the set for the Bulldogs, who also had four team blocks in the set. 

Set 3: Both teams traded points for the first half of the final set, but Sacred Heart went on a mini run to go up 18-13. Bryant came back to tie it, and scored three straight points at the end to win 25-23. McGovern had six kills in the final set, and Mia Cergol had an assist on all eleven team kills for the Bulldogs.

Bulldog Notes and Notables

• Emma McGovern's 18 kills set a new career high and were the most of any player in the match. She also finished with four blocks, eight digs, two aces, and an assist.

• Riley James and Alysa Wright had eleven kills each. Wright also finished with three blocks and James had eleven digs.

• Haley O'Brien had a season high seven blocks, one away from her career high. 

• Bryant set a new season high with eleven total blocks. It was the second time they reachde double digit blocks in a match this year.