Bulldogs Defeat Hofstra for First Win of 2022

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y.- The Bryant women's volleyball team picked up their first win of the 2022 season, and first as a member of the America East, defeating Hofstra 3-1 Saturday afternoon to close out the Hofstra Tournament. Caroline Kennedy led all players with 16 kills, and Alysa Wright added ten kills and three blocks. Both were named to the all-tournament team for their efforts over the weekend.

Bryant 3, Hofstra 1 (25-16, 20-25, 28-26, 25-20)

Records: Bryant (1-2), Hofstra (1-2)

Coach Garlacy's Comments: "Our first win was a total team effort with points coming from all three front row positions. Carol and Alysa were very efficient and we kept them out of system with tough serving. London also saw her first action at middle blocker. It was a good learning experience for the weekend."

How it Happened

Set 1: The first saw Hofstra take an early 4-3 lead, but Bryant was able to stay close. The Bulldogs eventually rallied, with consecutive kills from Kennedy, Emma McGovern, and Alysa Wright tying the score at 12. Bryant later used a 3-0 run to go up 16-13. The Bulldogs were able to hold the lead, scoring the final four points to take the opening set. Kennedy and Wright each had three kills in the set, while Carolina Camacho led with six assists.

Set 2: Hofstra scored the first four points of the second, but the Bulldogs roared back quickly to take an 8-6 lead. The Pride responded with a 9-1 run to take control of the set, and they eventually went on to win it 25-20. Kennedy and Aubrey Lapour combined for ten of Bryant's 15 kills in the set.

Set 3: The third set saw both teams go back and forth to the tune of ten tie scores and four lead changes. Neither team gained an advantage of more than two points until Hofstra used a run to go up 21-15, but the Bulldogs responded with a 9-3 run to tie the set at 24. Kills by Kennedy, Riley James, and London Hunt helped Bryant then seal the deal with a 28-26 set win.

Set 4: Hofstra led early on in the fourth, going up by as many as five points before a 9-1 run gave Bryant the lead for good. THe Bulldogs withstood a late comeback as the Pride cut the lead to two, but a match-ending 5-2 run, punctuated by kills by Kennedy and Wright, gave Bryant the win.

Bulldog Notes and Notables

• Caroline Kennedy's match-leading 16 kills came on a .367 hitting percentage, also the best on the court. Her thirty kills, eight blocks, and ten digs put her on the all-tournament team.

• Alysa Wright was also named to the weekend's all-tournament team, totaling 21 kills and eight blocks. Her ten kills and three blocks today were both second on the team to Kennedy. 

• Carolina Camacho set a career-high with 27 assists in the match. She, Mia Cergol, and Abby Rae combined for 54 assists on 58 kills for Bryant in the match.

• London Hunt made her collegiate debut, recording two kills and a block in the third set.

What's next: The Bulldogs will look to go back-to-back this Tuesday as they take on Stonehill in the home opener. Opening serve is set for 7:00 p.m. in the Chace Center.