SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant volleyball team couldn't keep up with the UMBC Retrievers on Sunday afternoon, falling in four sets at home. Despite the loss, the Bulldogs clinched a playoff berth in the America East postseason tournament.
Match Information
Final: UMBC 3, Bryant 1
Records: Bryant (14-11, 5-3 America East), UMBC (9-10, 5-2 America East)
Location: Chace Athletic Center, Smithfield, R.I.
COACH GARLACY'S COMMENTS
"After a solid start, our receive game broke down. Our middles were very successful, and
Arianna Ugolini played a very complete game."
HOW IT HAPPENED
- SET 1 – Bryant took the first set 25-22 over UMBC. A 4-0 run by the Bulldogs proved to be one of the turning points in the set, using a trio of kills from Kaitlin Curran, Melis Isik, and Arianna Ugolini to put them in front 18-17. Another turning point was a 3-0 Bulldogs run sparked by a pair of kills by Curran and Ugolini to give them the 22-19 lead. Bryant then put on the finishing touches by utilizing a kill from London Hunt, an ace from Curran, and a smashing kill from Ugolini to seal the first set 25-22.
- SET 2 – The Bulldogs used the momentum from the previous set to build a 14-10 lead in the second, led by back-to-back aces from Claudia Camacho-Castro and capped off with four combined kills from Nina Gavin, Isik, and Hunt. The Retrievers countered by going on a dominant 11-3 run to grab the 21-17 lead. Bryant stayed alive in the set and cut the lead to one, trailing 24-23, as Ugolini, Talmadge, and Hunt combined for five kills and they capped it off with an ace from Gavin. The late rally wasn't enough however, as UMBC took the second set 25-23.
- SET 3 – The Retrievers flipped the match in their favor, racing out to a commanding 14-8 lead to begin the third set. The Bulldogs were forced to play from behind and trailed 22-16 as London Hunt continued to step up offensively, chalking up a trio of kills. UMBC closed out the third set with ease, winning it 25-16.
- SET 4 – The Retrievers continued to showcase their potent attack, cruising to a 25-13 fourth set victory to seal the match. UMBC built a comfortable 14-5 lead and never looked back. The Bulldogs got a spark from Curran and Ugolini, combining for four kills to trim the deficit to 17-10. UMBC continued to be too much to handle for Bryant, going on an 8-3 run to finish off the match.
STATS
MATCH NOTES
- Melis Isik recorded a career-high 37 assists.
- Arianna Ugolini recorded her ninth double-double of the season, posting 16 kills and 11 digs.
- Carrina Barron now has 12 games with 15+ digs this season.
- London Hunt now has 17 games with multiple blocks this season.
- UMBC completed the series sweep over Bryant.
- The loss snapped a 5-game home winning streak for the Bulldogs.
NEXT UP
The Black and Gold prepare for their final road match of the season on Friday night (Nov. 7), squaring off against the Binghamton Bearcats. First serve is at 6:00 PM.
