September 26, 2008

BULLDOGS LOOK TO GET BACK TO WINNING AT WEEKEND DARTMOUTH TOURNAMENT; TO TAKE ON SAINT FRANCIS (NY) FRIDAY WITH HARVARD AND DARTMOUTH ON SATURDAY

Live Stats

SMITHFIELD, RI -- The Bryant University volleyball team has been doing anything but taking its time when it comes to competiting -- and succeeding -- against the top ranks of competition in its first year of Division I.

The Bulldogs are 9-5 as they approach the midpoint of the 2008 season, recording wins over such teams as Sacred Heart, Providence College and Holy Cross. But this weekend, Bryant looks for more wins -- starting with a second win over future Northeast Conference rival Saint Francis (NY), and ending with its first victories over Ivy League competition.

The Bulldogs topped the Terriers (0-15) in three sets in the season's opening weekend at the Navy Tournament, and are set to take them on again Friday at 5 p.m.

Bryant will be led by a trio of freshmen who haven't acted like rookies since first setting foot on the court in a Bulldog uniform. Outside hitter Jazmin Stoner (Durango, Colo.) leads the team with 128 kills on the year. Stoner is second in service aces (13) -- behind senior co-captain Delia Glover (Marston Mills, Mass.), who also has a team-leading 166 digs -- and has a team-high 147.5 points (3.01 pps).

Hilary Andrews (Tipp City, Ohio) trails Stoner by just a single kill (127) with 11 service aces (tied for third), 96 digs (t-2nd) and 144 points (3rd).

Maria Scocca (Melrose, Mass.) rounds out the tremendous trio, holding the team lead in blocks, both solo (11) and assists (41), and is No. 2 in points (144.5) and No. 3 in kills (103) and aces (11).

But the rookies aren't the only ones getting it done for the upstart Division I Bulldogs. Sophomore Miranda Kolb (Holt, Mich.) has 441 assists in 49 sets for Bryant, while while chipping in 41 total blocks. Senior co-captain Maureen Atkins (Fenton, Mo.) has 11 aces and 96 digs of her own, and sophomore Adrienne Boss (Dracut, Mass.) contributes 87 kills to Bryant's 559-kill total, complimenting her 22 blocks.

But the Bulldogs will face stiffer competition on Saturday, when they head into an 11 a.m. matchup with Harvard University (2-7), followed by a 5 p.m. nightcap bout with host Dartmouth College (3-5).

The Crimson are led by 81 kills from Kathryn McKinley, and gets a team-high 22 blocks from Anne Ingersoll. Megan MacGregor and Madeline Baird will pave the way for Dartmouth, recording 81 and 76 kills, respectively, in just 26 sets played. Morgan Covington leads the Big Green with 25 blocks to go along with 45 kills of her own.

Live stats will be available for all three Bulldog contests. Check back to www.bryantbulldogs.com for scores, updates and information about this weekend's Dartmouth Tournament and more.