Bulldogs Sweep Harvard to Open Bryant Invitational

SMITHFIELD, R.I.- The Bryant women's volleyball team opened play in the Bryant invitational with victory over Harvard Friday night. The win was the second straight 3-0 sweep for the Bulldogs, and their third straight overall. Fabi Castro and Riley James had eight kills each for Bryant, while Emma McGovern had seven kills, six digs, two blocks, and an ace.

Bryant 3, Harvard 0 (25-17, 25-21, 25-21)

Records: Bryant (3-2), Harvard (0-1)

Coach Garlacy's Comments: "Our team serve receive was phenomenal tonight, and our passing led to and extremely high first ball side out percentage. Emma played an outstanding match as well."

How it Happened:

Set 1: Harvard scored first to hold the early lead in the opening set, maintaining the advantage until Bryant came back to tie the score at seven. It was tied again at eight apiece before an Alysa Wright kill gave them the lead. The Crimson briefly tied the set at twelve, but a 4-0 run handed the Bulldogs control. They would go on to win the set by eight, with Emma McGovern posting four kills.

Set 2: Both teams traded blows early in the second to the tune of nine ties and three lead changes. The final tie was broken by a Fabi Castro kill to give Bryant a 13-12 lead. The Bulldogs would withstand a late 5-0 run by Harvard, winning the set by four. Alysa Wright's three kills and three blocks led Bryant in the set.

Set 3: Bryant opened the scoring in the third, netting two points before Harvard came back to tie, the first of eight even scores in the set. A run by the Crimson briefly gave them a 10-9 lead, but a pair of kills by Castro fueled a 4-1 run that gave the Bulldogs the lead. Harvard came back to tie the set at 17, but the Bulldogs were able to pull away and clinch the match with a 25-21 win. Castro posted four kills in total in the third set.

Bulldog Notes and Notables

• Emma McGovern led a strong receiving game for Bryant, who successfully received 50 of 52 serves in the match. McGovern had 25 receptions without an error in addition to her six digs. 

• The Bulldogs had six players record at least five kills in the match, with Riley James and Fabi Castro leading the way with eight apiece.

• Alysa Wright was a force at the net, leading all players with five total blocks, including two solos. Bryant finished with seven team blocks, their most this season.

• The Bulldogs' .289 hitting percentage was their second highest this season and their second straight match over the .280 mark. They registered 40 kills against 14 errors on 90 attempts.