SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant women's volleyball team split its two Saturday matches to end the Bryant Invitational 2-1. The Bulldogs would win their first match against Lafayette in a 3-0 sweep and would take Northeastern to 5 sets before the Huskies eventually pulled away. The Bulldogs now stand at 4-3 overall. Bryant's Arianna Ugolini and Morgan Smith were named to the All-Tournament Team.

GAME INFORMATION

Bryant , Lafayette (25-22, 25-22, 25-23)

Records: Bryant (4-2), Lafayette (1-2)

Location: Chace Athletic Center (Smithfield, R.I.)

COACH GARLACY'S COMMENTS

"Josie Deluga anchored our defense allowing the setters to run a truly balanced attack.  The sets found hot hitter Aubrey LaPour for 14 kills. London came off the bench cold and sparked a run hitting .400 and slowed down LaFayette's big gun. What a spectacular come from behind finish in the third set!"

HOW IT HAPPENED (vs Lafayette)

• Set 1 – Morgan Smith would have a stellar first set for the Bulldogs posting 5 kills and a service ace. Arianna Ugolini would have 2 service aces of her own which would help aid a 5-0 run and push the score to 17-11. The Leopards would rally late but Bryant would win the set 25-22 on a Brookelyn Talmadge kill. 

• Set 2 – The Bulldogs would go on a similar run in the second thanks to a Morgan Smith kill and Carrina Barron service ace. Aubrey Lapour would have 4 kills in the set and Josie Deluga would post 6 digs as Bryant would win 25-22.

• Set 3 – The Bulldogs and Leopards battled it out in the final set before London Hunt (1) and Aubrey Lapour (2) would combine for 3 straight kills to seal the victory. The final score was 25-23. Lapour would put up 7 kills in the set and Smith would collect 3 kills and 5 digs.

STATS

• Aubrey Lapour hit .440 for the match and notched 14 kills in the Bulldog victory.

• Bryant had the advantage in kills for the match (46-23)

• Ally Feczko led the Leopards with 10 digs in the match.

• 3 Bulldogs (Lapour, Smith, and Ugolini) each accounted for double-digit points in the win.

MATCH NOTES

• Josie Deluga posted 19 digs in Bryant's 3 sets against Lafayette.

• Carolina Camacho recorded 20 + assists for the 3rd time this season with 21 vs the Leopards

GAME INFORMATION

Bryant , Northeastern(25-16, 22-25, 20-25, 25-18, 8-15)

Records: Bryant (4-3), Lafayette (3-3)

Location: Chace Athletic Center (Smithfield, R.I.)

COACH GARLACY'S COMMENTS

"What an epic battle with Northeastern tonight.  A great experience for our young team who continue to learn and grow.  They had their backs against the wall after the third set and showed grit winning that fourth and then fighting to the end in the fifth.  Josie Deluga paved the way for the defense and Ariana Ugolini, Aubrey LaPour and Mo Smith led the attack and block game.  I am super proud of them and excited to see how we continue to build this program."

HOW IT HAPPENED (vs Northeastern)

Set 1 – Bryant took control early in the first set thanks to consecutive kills from Arianna Ugolini and Morgan Smith to make the score 8-4. Ugolini would then go on to have a kill and service ace on back-to-back points and would have the deciding kill as Bryant would go on to win 25-16.

Set 2 – Northeastern would settle in the second set and would get out to a 9-4 advantage. Bryant would rally to tie the score at 9 with the help of a Morgan Smith service ace. Northeastern pulled ahead late however and would win the set on a kill by Defne Arliel.

Set 3 – Northeastern kept their previous set's momentum and got off to a hot start thanks to kills from Anabel Zier, Abby Reck, and Jessica Frannea. The Bulldogs managed to get back to within three points towards the end but Northeastern would hold on to win 25-20.

Set 4- With their backs against the wall, Bryant would start off fast thanks to critical early kills from Aubrey Lapour, Morgan Smith, and Lea Mackey along with a service ace from Madison Koeller. A pair of Carrina Barron service aces would prove critical as Bryant would win 25-18.

Set 5- Northeastern would rattle off 3 straight points to begin the fifth before Bryant came back and got the score to within one on an Aubrey Lapour kill. London Hunt and Arianna Ugolini would each have a block assist in the set but Northeastern would close it out on a Defne Arliel kill.

STATS

• Nadine Abdat has recorded 3 block assists in 3 of her first 4 games of her collegiate career. 

• Madison Koeller posted a double-double with 21 assists and 10 digs

• Three Bulldogs recorded double-digit kills in the match. (Ugolini, Lapour, & Smith).

MATCH NOTES

• Carrina Barron posted a new career high in digs with 14 vs the Huskies

• Arianna Ugolini set a new career high in kills with 19.

• 21 assists is a new career high for Madison Koeller

UP NEXT

The Bulldogs will remain at home and take on the Holy Cross Crusaders on Wednesday.