New look Bulldogs continue program’s success in 2023

The Bryant University volleyball team put together another strong season in their second year in the America East.

Following the departure of eight players from the year prior, three of which being all-conference, many speculated whether the Bulldogs would be able to remain competitive in their conference. These concerns would soon be dispelled as a combination of veteran leadership and impactful underclassmen stepped up to the challenge. 

Bryant's Head Coach Theresa Garlacy discussed this new group stating, "We had such a fantastic season, quickly adjusting to seven new team members and a new assistant coach. The upperclassmen made the new members comfortable right away and this really helped us achieve our team goals. The atmosphere in the gym during practice and games was one of high energy, intensity and fun. We were competitive at every position and we were not afraid to experiment with new lineups." 

The Bulldogs were led by captains Josie Deluga, Fabi Castro, and Aubrey Lapour in 2023. Together they helped their team to a 19-win season as well as securing a spot in the America East Conference Tournament. 

Senior Josie Deluga, put together a stellar final season with the Black and Gold. Named to the America East All-Tournament team, she also took home defensive specialist of the week honors twice in 2023 and led the America East in digs. After displays of poise and leadership, she was elevated to captain mid-way through the year by Coach Garlacy. On November 3rd, against Binghamton, Deluga would post the 600th dig of her career in a crucial five set victory. 

Fellow Senior Fabi Castro only appeared in one match for Bryant as a result of injury but still maintained a valuable presence around the team. By helping her coaches with the development of her teammates, Castro proved why she was a captain both on and off the court.

Rounding out the captains was Junior Aubrey Lapour who also saw tremendous growth and improvement this season. Finishing 2nd in the conference in kills (387), Lapour would be named First Team All-Conference by the America East as well as being Bryant's All-Academic representative. Lapour also reached a career milestone this year when she eclipsed 600 kills (11/3).

Junior Carolina Camacho had perhaps the largest individual milestone of the season when she became only the 6th player in Bryant's Division I history to surpass 1000 career assists. Camacho appeared in all 31 matches for the Bulldogs and concluded the year with 626 assists and 28 aces. On November 5th, at NJIT she would post a career high 32 assists in what would prove to be the Black and Gold's final victory of the year. (This marked the first time Camacho reached 30+ assists in her collegiate career). This performance along with a 24 assists night vs Binghamton would lead her to be named setter of the week by the America East. 

Head Coach Theresa Garlacy is closing in on a remarkable milestone of her own. The Bulldogs leader finished her 28th season at the helm 4 wins away from the 600th of her illustrious career. Her work this past year along with assistants Ted Garlacy, Jazmine Craig, and Keith Martinous led Bryant to be named Co-Coaching Staff of the Year by the America East. "The coaching staff was honored to earn co-staff of the year", Garlacy said. "We all bring different experiences and opinions to the table and are not afraid to voice them.  That is what makes us great, the experience and the honesty.  I value each member and their thoughts and ideas. Ready to start building in the spring for next season."

Sophomore Arianna Ugolini had a profound impact in her first season in Smithfield. After transferring to Bryant from St. Francis Brooklyn; Ugolini went on a tear for the Bulldogs. She would win conference player of the week twice in 2023 and put together offensive showcases on many occasions. As Bryant's regular season drew to a close she recorded career highs in kills in back-to-back games (11/3 vs Binghamton [22] & 11/5 at NJIT [26]). Ugolini also ranked first in the conference (39th in NCAA) for service aces and joined Aubrey Lapour as First Team All-Conference.

Brookelyn Talmadge was the final Bulldog to receive conference honors by making the America East All-Rookie team. Talmadge finished an impressive freshman campaign by leading the team in blocks with 88 (6th best in conference). In addition to her defense, she also recorded 196 kills and took home rookie of the week honors on September 26th.

Biding her time behind a strong group of seniors, Morgan Smith excelled in 2023 and ended her junior campaign 4th in the conference in hitting percentage after leading in the category for most of the year. On the year, she had 161 kills and 82 blocks. Smith also recorded 29 service aces and 30 digs.

London Hunt appeared in 25 matches as a sophomore and tallied 87 kills and 66 blocks. In the team's five set victory over Binghamton, she recorded a career high 8 blocks and tied her career high in kills.

Miranda Jantzen competed in 19 matches after battling through injuries in 2023. Against Merrimack (9/20), she posted 7 kills and 9 digs. She would close out her junior year with 31 kills, 43 digs, and 8 service aces.

Sophomore Lea Mackey had arguably the biggest improvement for the Black and Gold in 2023. After not appearing in a match as a freshman, Mackey would play in 22 contests and have 69 kills for Bryant. She would also combine for 34 blocks and post 20 digs. Mackey would have a career high 5 blocks vs the Holy Cross Crusaders on September 6th and would have a personal best 9 kills a week later vs. Fairfield.

Despite being limited to 7 matches due to injury, sophomore Ana Fuertes proved to be a key piece down the stretch of the regular season. Making appearances in 4 of Bryant's last 5 matches, she would record 6 kills, 26 digs, and 2 service aces. Fuertes would post double-digit digs in final 2 regular season matches including a career high 11 vs. NJIT.

Carrina Barron made appearances in all 31 matches in her first season in Smithfield. Her 42 service aces would rank 4th best in the America East and her 188 digs would be good for 4th best on the team. With the departure of senior Josie Deluga, she will be the likely candidate to take over as starting libero.

Freshman setter, Madison Koeller, also put together an exceptional rookie campaign after recording double-digit assists in 20 of her 26 appearances this season. She would achieve a career high 25 assists during the team's five set battle against Providence at the Friar Classic (9/9). Towards the end of the season she would expand her skillset and combined for 10 kills in the last 3 matches of the regular season. 

Nina Gavin shined in her first season of collegiate play for the Bulldogs after appearing in 25 matches and posting 77 kills. She would record a career high 6 kills against Providence (9/9) and met the mark again vs Sacred Heart (10/18). On the road at UMBC, Gavin would hit a career high .571 with 4 kills. Her final line of the year also included 15 blocks and 20 digs.

Nadine Abdat carved out a significant role with the Bulldogs towards the end of the regular season and found herself playing considerable time in the team's conference playoff matchup at UMBC. She would save perhaps her best for last as she would post a career high 6 blocks in the Bulldogs five set thriller vs. NJIT (11/5). Abdat would close out the year with 20 kills and 35 blocks through 14 matches.

Melis Isik saw time in 19 matches as a sophomore. The second year setter stood out in Bryant's home victory over NJIT (10/13) where she had 13 assists along with 3 service aces. Isik would put up a personal best 21 assists in the Bulldogs three set win over Central Connecticut (9/8). She would finish the regular season with 157 assists (4th best on team) and 15 aces.

Grace Sorensen appeared in 6 matches for Bryant and had 7 kills, 8 digs, and 2 blocks. In the team's 4 set match at Central Connecticut, she would come off the bench and provide a spark with 3 kills and 2 blocks to help propel Bryant to victory.

The Bulldogs finish the year as the conference leader for overall kills, assists, and aces.

While Bryant loses two key contributors, the future is bright heading into 2024. With a majority of the team returning and a strong group of incoming freshmen on the way, this young core will have championship aspirations for years to come. 

2024 is gearing up to be yet another year of exciting volleyball in Smithfield.