Bryant Heading to Big Apple for St. John's Tournament

QUEENS, N.Y.- The Bryant women's volleyball team will look to continue their winning ways this weekend when they head to New York to compete in the Kaiser Classic, hosted by St. John's. The Bulldogs have won five of their last six matches, including four of five at home. They will be facing Stonehill, Southeastern Louisiana, and the Red Storm during the two-day event.

Kaiser Classic

Bryant vs. Stonehill

Time: Friday, 1:00 pm

Live Stats: Sidearm Stats

Bryant vs. St. John's

Time: Saturday, 8:00 pm

Watch: FloSports

Live Stats: Sidearm Stats

Bryant vs. Southeastern Louisiana

Time: Saturday, 11:00 am

Live Stats: Sidearm Stats

Bulldog Notes and Notables

• The top two blockers in the America East currently reside on the Bryant front line. Alysa Wright leads with thirty rejections, while Haley O'Brien is right behind with 29. Both are top forty in the nation through eight matches. The Bulldogs' 64 team blocks also lead the conference and are 14th nationally.

• Bryant finished Tuesday's match against Brown with 57 kills, their second most this season and third straight match with at least fifty kills. Their 361 total kills rank seventh in the country this season. 

• The Bulldogs also rank tenth nationally with 333 total assists. The setter duo of Mia Cergol and Carolina Camacho have combined for 277 of those assists, each averaging over 4.5 per set.

Scouting the Skyhawks

• Stonehill will be playing their first match since last Tuesday's meeting with Bryant in the Chace Center. The reigning NE-10 champs are 0-5 in their first season at the Division I level.

• Player to Watch: Junior outside hitter Jentry Allen leads the Skyhawks with forty kills, four service aces, and 44 total points.

• Bryant defeated Stonehill 3-0 last Tuesday in Smithfield. It was their first meeting as D-I opponents after 43 matches in the NE-10.

Scouting the Red Storm

• St. John's is 3-4 to start the season, including a sweep of their opening weekend tournament. The Johnnies were 15-17 (6-12 Big East) in 2021, including a pair of wins against America East competition.

• Player to Watch: Graduate student right side Rachele Rastelli leads the team leader with 105 kills and 119 points. She was an All-Big East selection in 2021.

• The Bulldogs and Red Storm have faced off four times, with SJU taking all four meetings. They last played to a 3-0 score in 2016 in Smithfield.

Scouting the Lions

• SLU has opened the season 6-1, including wins in their last two matches. The Lions were 9-18 (7-7 Southland) in 2021.

• Player to Watch: Junior outside hitter Kailin Newsome is the defending Southland Conference Offensive Player of the Week. She's posted 68 kills and eight aces this season.

• The Bulldogs and Lions are facing off for the first time in program history.