SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant women's volleyball team picked up their third straight win over the Holy Cross Crusaders in their home opener on Wednesday night.
Game Information
Final: Bryant 3, Holy Cross 1
Records: Bryant (3-4, 0-0 America East), Holy Cross (2-5, 0-0 Patriot League)
Location: Chace Athletic Center, Smithfield, R.I.
COACH GARLACY'S COMMENTS
"We started the match with a bit of nervous energy with the first home match. Our middles stood out as the setters ran them high and fast. Both setters made excellent choices during the match and put our hitters in good position to score."
"
Lea Mackey stood out blocking and
Nina Gavin was a huge offensive threat.
Natalie Ricevuto came in off the bench and provided a much-needed spark."
HOW IT HAPPENED
- SET 1 – Arianna Ugolini helped kickstart the Bulldogs offense in the opening set, recording three kills to give Bryant the 12-9 lead. Then, Bryant used a trio of kills from Nina Gavin, London Hunt, and Arianna Ugolini to take the 17-12 lead. The Bulldogs closed in on the first set with a pair of kills from Brookelyn Talmadge and Lea Mackey to go up 21-14. Bryant polished off the first set as Arianna Ugolini continued to thrive and put it away with a pair of kills to give the Bulldogs the 25-20 first set victory.
- SET 2 – Holy Cross jumped out to a 5-1 lead in the second set. The Bulldogs got a spark from Maeve Voltz who powered home a kill and followed it up with a service ace from Ana Fuertes-Brito to cut the deficit to 10-9. The Crusaders were able to hold off the Bulldogs, however, as they extended their lead to 17-13. The Bulldogs knotted the score at twenty a piece later in the set, highlighted by kills from Kaitlin Curran, Brookelyn Talmadge, and Natalie Ricevuto. Holy Cross was able to pull ahead and earn the second set victory 25-23.
- SET 3 – The Bulldogs started the third set down 12-8 but used a 6-0 run to put them in front 14-12, highlighted by a pair of service aces from Madison Koeller, a pair of kills from Brookelyn Talmadge, and a kill from Natalie Ricevuto. Bryant then pulled ahead and inched closer to the third set victory as Arianna Ugolini continued her impressive performance with three consecutive kills to give the Bulldogs the 22-18 lead. Bryant finished off the set with a pair of kills from Nina Gavin to secure the third set victory 25-22.
- SET 4 – Bryant didn't waste any time in the fourth set as they jumped all over Holy Cross, racing out to a dominant 15-4 lead, highlighted by four kills from Arianna Ugolini, two kills from Lea Mackey, two kills from Maeve Voltz, and capped off with a service ace from Arianna Ugolini. Bryant then stretched their lead to 22-12 as Arianna Ugolini added a pair of kills and Natalie Ricevuto added another. The Bulldogs sealed the victory as Maeve Voltz tallied a kill and Natalie Ricevuto added two more to secure the fourth set 25-15 and defeat the Crusaders in their home opener.
STATS
MATCH NOTES
- This was Arianna Ugolini's second game this season with 20+ kills.
- This was Madison Koeller's fourth game this season with 20+ assists.
- Bryant extends their win streak against Holy Cross to 11.
NEXT UP
The Bulldogs are back in action on Friday night (Sep.12) against St. Thomas (MN) as part of the Bryant Invitational. First serve is at 6:00 PM at the Chace Athletic Center.
