Dawgs defeat UNH following wild final rally

SMITHFIELD, R.I.– The Bryant women's volleyball team defeated the University of New Hampshire in four sets in a thrilling match on Sunday afternoon to conclude Homecoming Weekend. Bryant moves to 14-9 on the season and now has a 3-2  record against America East opponents.

GAME INFORMATION

Bryant , UNH (25-13, 25-22, 18-25, 26-24)

Records: Bryant (14-9, 3-2), UNH (11-8, 1-3) 

Location: Chace Athletic Center

COACH GARLACY'S COMMENTS

"What an amazing way to finish the match , the grit our team showed to fight back and win! It was a total Team effort. I couldn't be more pleased with the way they supported and believed in themselves! "

HOW IT HAPPENED (vs UNH)

• Set 1- The Bulldogs got off to an incredible start against the Wildcats thanks to early kills from Aubrey Lapour and Arianna Ugolini. Bryant's lead would get to as large as 12 points as they led 21-9 following a London Hunt kill. UNH would string a couple of points together at the end but Bryant would dominate and win the set  25-13. Arianna Ugolini had 4 kills in the set and Carolina Camacho recorded 4 service aces.

• Set 2- New Hampshire would find their rhythm in the second set and stay competitive with Bryant. After a Marisa Armer kill tied the score at 12, the two teams would exchange leads for multiple possessions. Bryant would get the lead back for good following a Lapour kill to make the score 19-18. The Bulldogs would then go on a 5-1 run and eventually win the second set 25-22. Lapour and Ugolini combined for 8 kills and Camacho had another 2 aces.

• Set 3- Facing elimination, UNH played Bryant extremely tough and got out to an 8-2 lead. The Black and Gold would battle back to make it a 1 point game on a Brookelyn Talmadge kill but were unable to reclaim the lead. New Hampshire would win the set 25-18 and force a 4th set. Josie Deluga posted 4 assists in the set and Aubrey Lapour had 5 kills.

• Set 4- The Bulldogs and Wildcats remained neck and neck throughout the 4th set before UNH took a 19-15 lead and made it appear that a 5th set was imminent. It was then that Bryant would go on and have one of their best rallies of the season. Down 23-19, the Black and Gold would go on a 3-0 run to even the score. After UNH went up 24-23 and had the chance to close out the set, the Bulldogs stepped up again and tied the score on an Aubrey Lapour kill. The set would then be extended and after Bryant took a 25-24 lead on a Hannah Serbousek attack error and set up Bryant with a chance to win. The next play would be a near minute long rally that featured an incredible diving save from Josie Deluga and incredible all around play. A vicious Aubrey Lapour attack would force UNH into a bad spot and saw Hannah Serbousek sail an attack long once again. Bryant would win the set 26-24 and secure a 3-1 match victory.

STATS

• Aubrey Lapour led the match with 18 kills for the Black and Gold. She also had a team leading 4 blocks.

• Carolina Camacho posted 19 assists in the match and recorded 6 service aces. (All 6 occurred in the first two sets.)

• London Hunt had 8 kills for Bryant and led the team with a .444 hitting percentage.

• Morgan Smith recorded 6 kills, a block, and a service ace on the evening.

• Madison Koeller was a big contributor coming off the bench as she posted 8 assists in her three sets of play.

MATCH NOTES

• Josie Deluga posted a career high 12 assists to secure her first double double as a Bulldog. (12 assists and 11 digs).

• Carolina Camcho recorded a double double with 19 assists and 12 digs.

• Arianna Ugolini also had a double double with 12 kills and 11 digs.

UP NEXT

The Black and Gold will be back in action Wednesday night for a home non-conference match against Sacred Heart.