October 17, 2009

BRYANT SPLITS SATURDAY DOUBLEHEADER, TAKES 3-0 WIN OVER QUINNIPIAC IN NIGHTCAP

Boxscore vs. LIU / Boxscore vs. Quinnipiac / Play of the Game

SMITHFIELD, R.I. - Freshman Emily Kaup (Chandler, Ariz.) collected 12 blocks while sophomore Maria Scocca (Melrose, Mass.) knocked down 20 kills to lead the Bryant University volleyball team to a Saturday doubleheader split, dropping a 3-0 decision to Long Island University before taking a thrilling 3-0 win over Quinnipiac in the nightcap.

Against the Bobcats (3-19, 2-7 Northeast Conference), the Bulldogs (7-16, 2-3) cruised to a pair of 25-18 wins and a 2-0 match advantage to set up a do-or-die scenario for Quinnipiac entering the third set.

The conference foes stayed neck-and-neck throughout the set, one that featured nine ties and four lead changes. Bryant took a three-point lead at 13-10, but the visitors got back to even at 14-14, thanks to Kelby Carey ace - one of four for her in the contest.

As the set progressed, it would soon be the Bobcats' turn to lead, and they took it in the form of a late-game 23-20 surge. But the Bulldogs wouldn't sit back and watch, tying the score at 23-23 by way of a Scocca kill and a Julie Geonnotti (Eden Prairie, Minn.) ace, forcing Quinnipiac to burn both timeouts.

With Geonnotti serving, the home side quickly took back the lead, 24-23. And while Quinnipiac would knot the score one more time, a big kill from Scocca once again gave Bryant a match point opportunity.

And when Scocca's serve proved tough to handle and a Carey dig went over the net without a Bobcat attack, rookie Macy Mitravich (Waimanalo, Hawaii) put down her biggest kill of the night, finalizing the 3-0 victory for the Bulldogs, 26-24.

Mitravich would lead Bryant in the win with 12 kills and 15 digs, while sophomore Jazmin Stoner (Durango, Colo.) posted 11 kills of her own. Carey recorded a match-best 13 kills for the Bobcats.

In the day's opening contest, the Bulldogs played tough, but found themselves in an early hole against the Blackbirds (10-13, 7-0). Despite recording 35 kills -- 17 of them in the first set - Bryant would fall, 25-22, 25-17 and 25-18, as Long Island remains unbeaten in conference action.

Scocca collected 12 kills in the contest to lead the Bryant offense, while Adriana Fuertes (Miramar, Puerto Rico) dished out 17 assists.

In both matches on the day, Kaup led the Bulldogs at the net, collecting a contest-high six blocks each time out, also chipping in six kills. Mitravich and Stoner each registered 17 kills, Mitravich adding 22 digs, while Fuertes would total 34 assists on the day.

Geonnotti was strong all the way around in the 1-1 afternoon, contributing nine kills, 32 assists, two aces, 15 digs and four blocks, also collecting a double-double against Quinnipiac (18 assists, 11 digs).

The Bulldogs return to action Sunday, when they host another NEC doubleheader at the Chace Athletic Center. Bryant will take on St. Francis (NY) in the early match (1 p.m.) before hosting a rematch against the Bobcats to finish out the weekend (4 p.m.).