November 7, 2010

BRYANT FIGHTS BACK BUT FALLS JUST SHORT, DROPS 3-2 DECISION AT FDU SUNDAY

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University volleyball team made up an early 2-0 deficit, but couldn't complete the comeback in the crucial fifth set, falling to Fairleigh Dickinson on the road, 3-2, Sunday afternoon.

Rookie Kaitlyn Klein (Modesto, Calif.) paced the Bulldogs (17-16, 4-10 Northeast Conference) with 13 kills while classmate Mariah Burgess (Urbana, Ill.) chipped in 12 on the attack, guiding the visitors as they overcame early 25-14 and 27-25 losses to knot the score at 2-2 with 25-14 and 25-20 victories in sets three and four.

But in the fifth and final frame, the Knights (10-19, 5-8) led the whole way through, taking a 15-10 set win to take the match, 3-2.

Meaghan Wheeler was one of three FDU players to record double-digit kills, and she led the game with 17. Bulldog sophomore Jadith Lorenzo (Lawrence, Mass.) registered the only double-double for the visiting side, posting a match-best 46 assists with 12 digs, while senior Robyn Gardner (Longwood, Fla.) led the Black and Gold with 17 digs.

The Knights posted an impressive 33 blocks in the outing to Bryant's 13 and were led by double-digit blocks from Sarah Berkland (11 block assists) and Meghan Alger (1 solo, 9 assists). Junior Maria Scocca (Melrose, Mass.) paced the Bulldogs at the net with four blocks (9 kills). Bryant served up five aces to FDU's eight on the day.

The Bulldogs return to action Wednesday, Nov. 10 when they take on Quinnipiac on the road (7 p.m.). Bryant will then faceoff against St. Francis (NY) on Sunday afternoon in the 2010 season finale (1 p.m.).