BALTIMORE, M.D. – Despite the Bryant volleyball team winning the first two sets, the UMBC Retrievers rallied to win the next three sets and complete the reverse sweep on Sunday afternoon.

Match Information
Final: UMBC 3, Bryant 2
Records: Bryant (10-9, 2-1 America East), UMBC (4-9, 2-1 America East)
Location: Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena, Baltimore, M.D.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• SET 1 – The Bulldogs cruised to a 25-15 first set victory. The set was a battle at first, however, before Bryant pulled away. The Bulldogs got off to a 10-7 lead as Ruth Ochelli and Arianna Ugolini each tallied a pair of kills. Bryant took the 15-12 lead into the media timeout as Nina Gavin recorded back-to-back service aces. The Bulldogs then went on a dominant 10-2 run to close out the first set, highlighted by a pair of kills from Arianna Ugolini and a kill each from Ruth Ochelli and Kaitlin Curran.
• SET 2 – Like the first set, Bryant won the second 25-15, going up two sets to none. The Bulldogs began the set with an impressive 10-5 run, highlighted by a pair of kills each from Brookelyn Talmadge and Arianna Ugolini. Bryant then extended their lead to 19-12, forcing a UMBC timeout. The Bulldogs run was powered by two kills from Kaitlin Curran, a combined block from London Hunt and Ruth Ochelli, and another combined block from Kaitlin Curran and London Hunt. Ruth Ochelli added two more kills, and Brookelyn Talmadge delivered the knockout blow to secure the 25-15 second set win.
• SET 3 – The third set proved to be a marathon, with UMBC prevailing 27-25. The Retrievers took the 15-14 lead into the media timeout, with Kaitlin Curran pounding a trio of kills and Ruth Ochelli adding a pair. Bryant then went on a 9-6 run, highlighted by kills from Arianna Ugolini, Ruth Ochelli, and London Hunt, to take the 23-21 lead and force a UMBC timeout. The Bulldogs were unable to put away the Retrievers as the third set needed extras. UMBC went on a 6-2 run to win the third set 27-25 and stay alive in the match.
• SET 4 – Despite the Bulldogs jumping out to a 9-6 lead, the Retrievers responded by going on a 10-4 run to take the 16-13 lead. UMBC kept the momentum alive, going on an 8-3 run to go ahead 24-16 and force set point. The Bulldogs stayed alive by winning the next five points to trail 24-21, highlighted by consecutive service aces from Arianna Ugolini.
• SET 5 – The momentum from the previous two sets carried over the Retrievers, completely flipping the script for the match. UMBC dominated the fifth set, edging the Bulldogs 15-4 to complete a reverse sweep.

STATS

• Arianna Ugolini tied for a game-high 18 kills.
• Madison Koeller tallied a game-high 40 assists. She led the team in service aces with 3.
• London Hunt recorded a game-high 12 total blocks.
• Carrina Barron finished with a game-high 22 digs.

MATCH NOTES

• Arianna Ugolini has recorded 15+ kills 11 times this season.
• Madison Koeller has recorded 40+ assists five times this season.
• Carrina Barron has recorded 20+ digs five times this season.

NEXT UP
The Black and Gold return home next Sunday (Oct.12) to battle the Binghamton Bearcats in America East conference play. First serve is at 1:00 PM at the Chace Athletic Center.