October 21, 2008

BULLDOGS GET FIRST HOME WIN TUESDAY NIGHT, 3-2, OVER PROVIDENCE COLLEGE

Boxscore

FRESHMAN HILARY ANDREWS PICKED UP HER FIFTH DOUBLE- DOUBLE OF THE SEASON WITH 14 KILLS AND 16 DIGS IN TUESDAY'S WIN OVER PC.

SMITHFIELD, RI - After three tries and 13 road wins, the Bryant University volleyball team got its first Division I victory in front of its home crowd Tuesday night, as the Bulldogs toppled crosstown rival Providence College in a 3-2 thriller at the Chace Athletic Center.

The Bulldogs (14-13) took a quick 25-23 win in the first game on the back of four kills from sophomore Adrienne Boss (Dracut, Mass.), but fell behind in the second set after taking an early lead. Down, 16-12, senior co-captain Delia Glover (Marston Mills, Mass.) served to four-straight Bryant points to tie the game at 16-16 before the Bulldogs again fell behind, 23-20.

But big kills from freshman Maria Scocca (Melrose, Mass.) and the rest of the Bryant offense brought the Bulldogs back for a 25-23 win.

Game three saw the Bulldogs struggle, as Providence's Elizabeth Flynn took Bryant for seven kills and Jeanette Toney collected a trio of blocks and the Friars (12-12) halved their deficit with a 25-18 win.

Game four was tight as well, and this time PC managed to knot the game at 2-2 with a 25-23 victory, led by six kills from Abby Majewski. Rookie Hilary Andrews (Tipp City, Ohio) recorded five kills in the set.

But the Bulldogs, who were 1-4 in five-set matches entering Tuesday's game, fought hard to get the win in the shortened fifth set. Three kills apiece from Andrews, Scocca and junior Julie Geonnotti (St. Louis Park, Minn.) led the way as Bryant took a 15-10 win and 3-2 match victory.

On the day, Andrews notched her fifth double-double of the year with 14 kills and 16 digs, while Scocca registered a match-high 17 kills on the night. Geonnotti and senior co-captain Maureen Atkins (Fenton, Mo.) each recorded over 20 assists, collecting 21 and 22, respectively.

Rookie Jazmin Stoner (Durango, Colo.) and Glover also had big totals on the night, with Stoner collecting 14 digs and eight kills and Glover grabbing 27 digs.

The Bulldogs play their third of three-consecutive home games Friday, Oct. 24, when they host Chicago State in a 7 p.m. matchup at the Chace Athletic Center.