September 3, 2010
BULLDOGS KEEP SETS CLOSE,
FALL TO EASTERN ILLINOIS, 3-1, FRIDAY
SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University volleyball team
dropped a pivotal third set with the scored tied at 1-1 and
couldn't rebound Friday afternoon against a strong Eastern Illinois
side, falling to the Panthers, 3-1, in the opening round of the
Harvard Invitational.
The Bulldogs (3-2) kept it close in each of the first three
sets, dropping the first 25-23. Bryant would return the favor in
the next game, handing Eastern Illinois (1-0) a 25-23 loss of its
own and knotting the score at 1-1.
The Panthers would force extra points in the third set – a
set that saw the Bulldogs squander 11-2 and 17-13 leads –
clawing back to tie it at 24-24. And despite holding the lead
throughout, the Black and Gold wouldn't be able to find the winning
points in the game as the Panthers took the next two points for a
26-24 victory and a 2-1 match lead.
The Bulldogs would ultimately lose the match, 3-1, suffering a
25-20 defeat in the fourth and final set.
Juniors Jazmin Stoner
(Durango, Colo.) and Maria Scocca
(Melrose, Mass.) each collected double-digit kills in the
match, with Stoner's 14 leading the way. Sophomore setter
Jadith
Lorenzo (Lawrence, Mass.) recorded her
second-consecutive double-double and third of the year, putting up
26 assists to go with 13 digs, while classmate Macy Mitravich
(Waimanalo, Hawaii) tied a match-high with 19 digs on the
day. Rookie Nicole Percz
(Palos Verdes Estates, Calif.) led the team's 15 blocks
with four of her own, while Stoner and Scocca each recorded a trio
of block assists.
Eastern Illinois was paced by 16 kills from Erin Hake and 15
from Kelsey Orr, while Chrissie Albers dished out a match-high 42
assists. Jorie Dieter collected six of the Panthers' 22 blocks.
The Bulldogs return to action at the Harvard Invitational
Saturday, when they take on the host Crimson at 12:30 p.m. and wrap
up tournament play against the University of New Hampshire at 5:30
p.m.
