October 17, 2007

BRYANT VOLLEYBALL TAKES OVER FIRST PLACE IN THE NORTHEAST-01 WITH A 3-2 WIN OVER BENTLEY WEDNESDAY

Senior Likica Grceva had a match-high 21 kills and career-best 27 digs in Bryant's 3-2 win over Bentley Wednesday night. (www.dspics.com)

SMITHFIELD, RI -   With first place on the line in the Northeast-10 Conference, the highly anticipated showdown between Bryant and Bentley certainly lived up to its billing.  Before a supportive crowd at the Chace Athletic Center, the red-hot Bryant Bulldogs pulled out a thrilling 3-2 win over their chief rivals Wednesday night.  The win gives Bryant sole possession of first place in the Northeast-10 Conference at 10-0 (19-11 overall). 

Senior Likicia Grceva paced the Bulldogs with 21 kills and a career-best 27 digs while sophomore Morgan Wood and Julie Geonnotti added 13 and 11 kills respectively.

Bryant raced out to a quick 2-0 lead on the Falcons, winning 30-26 and 30-23, but Bentley, behind the standout play of middle Christina Sadowski and Alex Kearney, rallied back to win the third, 30-20 and held off a late charge to win the fourth, 30-28 and force a deciding fifth game. 

In the fifth, Bryant was able to stave off two match point serves by Bentley as freshmen Miranda Kolb and Adrienne Boss came by big with some timely kills and key blocks.  With the game tied 16-16, Greceva and Boss combined for a block at the net to give Bryant match point.  With the game on the line, Bentley's Tori Piskulick was whistled for a setting error, giving the Bulldogs the win.

Bentley's Cassie Kraft was brilliant defensively for the Falcons as the sophomore finished with a career-high 42 digs.  Sadowski paced Bentley with 20 kills and hit .385 for the match and had a remarkable 11 blocks. Kearney was steady all night, finishing with 19 kills on 70 swings.   Bentley had 16 total blocks on the night.

Both teams combined for 225 digs in the match.