BALTIMORE, Md. – The Bryant volleyball team fell to the UAlbany Great Danes in straight sets in the America East semifinal round on Friday night.
Despite the loss, it was a remarkable season for the Bulldogs, finishing as co-regular season champions of the America East for the first time in program history. They also finished the regular season with 7 conference wins, the most in program history since joining the America East.
Arianna Ugolini also received the America East Player of the Year award. It was the first time in Bryant's Division I history they recieved a Player of the Year award.
Match Information
Final: UAlbany 3, Bryant 0
Records: Bryant (16-12, 7-3 America East), UAlbany (14-11, 6-4 America East)
Location: Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena, Baltimore, Md.
COACH GARLACY'S COMMENTS
"We just didn't play in rhythm tonight and Albany took advantage of that."
"What a great season we have had with these six seniors. The staff and their teammates will truly miss them. They are the highest caliber people, and it was a pleasure to work with them."
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- SET 1 – The Great Danes pulled in front 15-11 leading into the first media timeout. Bryant then came alive, trimming the deficit to 21-18. London Hunt chipped in with a kill and Ugolini added a pair. The Bulldogs kept it a two-point deficit, trailing 23-21 and forcing a UAlbany timeout. Bryant's push was powered by London Hunt and Ruth Ochelli each pounding a kill. The momentum carried over for the Bulldogs after the Great Danes timeout, tying the score at twenty-three a piece, led by another kill from Ochelli. The set continued to be a seesaw battle, with Bryant taking the 27-26 advantage, highlighted by Ugolini smashing another kill and forcing a UAlbany timeout. The Bulldogs couldn't hold on however, with the Great Danes responding with a 3-0 run after the timeout to win the first set 29-27.
- SET 2 – UAlbany took the 15-12 lead into the first media timeout. The Bulldogs then turned the tide in their favor, going on a 6-1 run and taking the 18-16 lead, forcing a Great Danes timeout. The Bulldogs surge was powered by a pair of kills from Ugolini and another from Curran. UAlbany countered with a 6-1 run, taking the 22-19 lead and forcing a Bryant timeout. The Great Danes continued to fire, taking control of the second set 25-22.
- SET 3 – The match continued to be a back-and-forth affair. Bryant pulled in front 15-14 heading the media timeout. Lea Mackey proved to be a spark off the bench for the Bulldogs, chalking up a pair of kills. Ugolini continued to thrive as well, adding a trio of kills. UAlbany flipped the script after the media timeout, going on an impressive 7-0 run to take the 22-15 lead. Bryant continued to fight, utilizing kills from Ugolini, Curran, and Hunt to cut the deficit to 24-18. The late push wasn't enough however, as the Great Danes sealed the third set to earn the victory.
STATS
MATCH NOTES
- Madison Koeller earned her 10th double-double of the season, posting 35 assists and 11 digs.
- Carrina Barron finished with 15 games with 15+ kills.
- London Hunt finished with 20 games with multiple blocks this season.
