Bulldogs take on Boston College Invitational Saturday and Sunday
SMITHFIELD, R.I. — The Bryant University volleyball team is back in action Saturday and Sunday at the Boston College Invitational in Chestnut Hill, Mass.
The Bulldogs (0-3) will square off against tournament host Boston College (2-2) first on Saturday at 1 p.m. before taking on undefeated Hampton (3-0) at 4:30 p.m. Bryant will wrap up BC Invitational play Sunday at 10:30 a.m. with a bout against Fairfield (0-4).
The Black and Gold enter the weekend off strong performances at the Oregon Classic last week, where they were led by all-tournament team sophomore Claire Van Dyk (New Richmond, Wis.). Van Dyk collected 22 kills in three matches with nine digs and two blocks. Junior Jocelyn Taylor (Marlborough, Conn.) put up five blocks on the weekend to compliment 11 kills, while junior captain Elena Lohr (Loveland, Ohio) paced the defense with 26 digs.
The Eagles enter their own tournament fresh off a 2-2 showing at the Western Carolina Invitational, topping USC Upstate, 3-0, in the season opener and beating Wright State while falling to Western Carolina and UNC Asheville. Katty Workman amassed an impressive 76 kills (4.75 kills per set) in 16 sets while also serving up three aces and adding 58 digs. Melissa McTighe led BC on the block, posting 15 stuffs (3 solo) to go along with 34 kills, while Barbara Gonzalez (23 kills) and Amanda Yerke (42 kills) put up 14 and 13 blocks, respectively. Madisen Lydon scooped up 62 digs on the tournament, while Jackie Bowman and Kellie Barnum shared setter duties, tallying 85 and 96 assists, respectively.
Hampton earned a trio of wins in its season-opening tournament at N.C. Central , topping the hosts in three sets, Murray State in four sets and Evansville in five. Vendula Strakova led the way for the Lady Pirates, averaging 5.58 kills per set (67) with a .290 attack percentage and nine aces while putting up 10 blocks and 37 digs. Krista Kraskura is second on the squad in kills with 35 and digs with 39, while Marija Kocevska led on the block with 13 (2 solo).
The Stags enter the Boston College Invitational also in search of their first win of the 2013 season after dropping matches to Northern Iowa, Utah and Utah State in Salt Lake City Labor Day weekend, also falling in their home opener to Missouri, 3-0. Fairfield is led by Marilyn Peizer, who compiled 43 kills in the opening four matches, while Hadley Orr has added 35 more. Rachel Romansky has 139 of the team's 157 assists so far in 2013, and Hayley Moyer paces the side on the block, with 11 (1 solo).
Fans can follow along with Live Stats for each Bryant matchup throughout the BC Invitational here.
