DURHAM, N.H. – The Bryant volleyball team continued it's stretch of dominance on Wednesday night, and sweeping the defending America East champion UNH to win seven out of their last eight matches. The Bulldogs earned their first road win in Durham since 2011.
Match Information
Final: Bryant 3, UNH 0
Records: Bryant (10-8, 2-0 America East), UNH (7-8, 1-1 America East)
Location: Lundholm Gymnasium, Durham, N.H.
COACH GARLACY'S COMMENTS
"What an amazing team win for our program!
Nina Gavin brough such a positive vibe with her amazing serve keeping UNH out of system. Our block got hot in the third set shutting down their top attacker."
"We were relaxed and well prepared to battle with the team tonight."
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- SET 1 – The Bulldogs got off to a fast start, going up 6-0 as Arianna Ugolini pounded a pair of kills, London Hunt added another, and Kaitlin Curran recorded a service ace. Bryant extended their lead to 13-7 as Arianna Ugolini added three more kills and London Hunt added two more, forcing a Wildcat timeout. Bryant then cruised to a dominant 25-14 first set victory as Arianna Ugolini and London Hunt each added two more kills, Kaitlin Curran added one, Nina Gavin recorded a service ace, and Ruth Ochelli capped it off with a kill. The Bulldogs were in the lead for the entire set.
- SET 2 – The Wildcats responded after struggling to keep up with the Bulldogs in the first set, taking the 15-12 lead into the media timeout. Bryant's offense continued to be powered by Arianna Ugolini, who recorded a trio of kills to open the set. The Bulldogs continued to battle, cutting the deficit to one, 18-17, with Kaitlin Curran tallied back-to-back kills. Bryant then tied the score at twenty a piece as Arianna Ugolini smashed a kill and Kaitlin Curran added a service ace, prompting a UNH timeout. The Bulldogs then took their first lead of the set, pulling in front 22-21, as London Hunt chalked up a kill and Carrina Barron recorded a service ace. Arianna Ugolini added a pair of kills to seal the second set 25-23 for Bryant, going up 2-0 in sets.
- SET 3 – UNH grabbed a 5-1 lead, forcing an early Bryant timeout. Ruth Ochelli, Brookelyn Talmadge, and Kaitlin Curran each tallied a kill to help trim the deficit to 12-9. Then, Kaitlin Curran put the Bulldogs within one as she recorded her third service ace of the match, making it 14-13 Wildcats. The momentum carried over as Bryant went on a 5-0 run, taking the 19-16 lead, courtesy of a kill from Arianna Ugolini and a kill and service ace from Nina Gavin, forcing a UNH timeout. The Bulldogs continued to thrive, winning the next four points to make it nine in a row and give them the 23-16 lead, highlighted by combined blocks by Madison Koeller and Brookelyn Talmadge and Arianna Ugolini and Brookelyn Talmadge. The Wildcats wouldn't quit however, going on a 4-0 run to cut the deficit to 23-20, prompting a Bulldogs timeout. Brookelyn Talmadge put the finishing touches on the match by pounding a pair of kills to seal the third set 25-22 and the sweep for Bryant.
STATS
MATCH NOTES
- Bryant earned their first road win at UNH since 2011. They had been 1-8 on the road before against UNH prior to tonight's win.
- The Bulldogs have won seven out of their last eight matches.
- Arianna Ugolini now has 10 games with 15+ kills this season.
- Madison Koeller now has 7 games with 30+ assists this season.
- Brookelyn Talmadge now has 5 games this season with 5+ total blocks.
NEXT UP
The Black and Gold are back in action on Sunday afternoon (Oct.5), going on the road to face the UMBC Retrievers. First serve is at 2:00 PM.
