Dawgs defend home court in non-conference finale

SMITHFIELD, R.I.– The Bryant women's volleyball team defeated Merrimack College in their Dig Pink Game on Wednesday night at the Chace Athletic Center. The Black and Gold improve to 16-10 on the season and are 8-3 at home this year!

GAME INFORMATION

Bryant , Merrimack (25-16, 25-22, 18-25, 25-19)

Records: Bryant (16-10, 3-3), Merrimack (6-16, 5-4) 

Location: Chace Athletic Center

COACH GARLACY'S COMMENTS

"It was a server's game tonight and even though we were out of system a lot we still found ways to score. The setters did a great job spreading the ball around and playing amazing defense. Several players came in off the bench and contributed. Good warmup for Sunday."

HOW IT HAPPENED (vs Merrimack)

• Set 1- The Bulldogs and Warriors would open the match competitively and play to a 7-7 tie. Bryant would then go on an 8-1 run thanks to multiple kills from Brookelyn Talmadge and Aubrey Lapour to put the set out of reach and win 25-16. Talmadge, Lapour, and Ugolini each had 3 kills for Bryant and Carrina Barron had 3 aces.

• Set 2- Merrimack would get ahead early in the second and put the Bulldogs into a 14-6 hole. Following a rally, the Dawgs rally back and even the score at 18 a piece. Kills from Brookelyn Talmadge and Lea Mackey would help put Bryant out in front and Nina Gavin would close things out with a kill. The set would end 25-22 in favor of the Bulldogs. Madison Koeller had 8 assists in the second and four Bulldogs had blocks.

• Set 3- The first half of the third set saw Bryant and Merrimack exchange leads before the Warriors began to pull ahead on kills from Marilyn Whitcavitch and Cate Wright. Merrimack would force a 4th set following a 25-18 victory. Arianna Ugolini had 4 kills in the set while Josie Deluga and Madison Koeller each had aces.

• Set 4- The final set saw Bryant regain their momentum after trailing 12-7. The team would make their comeback bid thanks to an 8-1 run after the score was tied at 18. Arianna Ugolini and Morgan Smith combined for 9 kills and Carolina Camacho had 6 assists. The Bulldogs would win the set 25-19.

STATS

• Arianna Ugolini led the Black and Gold with 14 kills

• Carrina Barron led the team with 4 service aces.

• Carolina Camacho and Madison Koeller both posted double digit assists (17 each).

• Josie Deluga had a team high 15 assists.

• Brookelyn Talmadge recorded 4 blocks on the evening.

MATCH NOTES

• Madison Koeller records 15+ assists for the 11th time this year

• Bryant combined for 16 blocks on the night.

UP NEXT

Bryant will host its Senior Day on Sunday and face off against conference opponent UAlbany.