SMITHFIELD, R.I. — Freshman Sara DePouw (Oconto, Wis.) tied her career-high and posted a match-best 14 kills in Tuesday night's home opener against the University of Hartford, but the Bulldogs could not halt their ongoing on-court struggles, falling to the Hawks, 3-0.

DePouw posted a .522 attack percentage and added eight digs while sophomore Claire Van Dyk (New Richmond, Wis.) chipped in 10 kills and one of the team's two aces on the night. The Bulldogs (0-11) kept things close throughout all three sets, including taking the second all the way to 30-28, but the Hawks (3-9) got double-doubles from Sareeta Nethersole (team-high 11 kills, match-high 13 digs) and Jackie Tamburri (match-best 41 assists, 11 digs) to snap their own losing skid and spoil Bryant's home debut.

Sophomore setter Jana Kmec (Stratford, Conn.) dished out 31 of the Bulldogs' 35 assists on the day and added four blocks, while DePouw chipped in four stuffs of her own to help lead the Black and Gold at the net. In total, Bryant would outblock Hartford, 8-5, in team blocks, but the Hawks would win out in kills, 45-39, and attack percentage, .292 to .213.

Hartford would also have the edge on the serve, putting up nine aces, and had three players record double-figure digs. Junior Elena Lohr (Loveland, Ohio) paced the home side on defense, with nine digs.

The Bulldogs remain at home for their next four matches, all part of the 2013 Bryant Invitational Friday and Saturday. The Black and Gold kick off tournament action against UMass Lowell Friday at 4 p.m. and will take on Princeton in the 8 p.m. nightcap. Saturday, the Bulldogs will face off against Stony Brook (12 p.m.) and St. John's (7 p.m.).