DURHAM, N.C. – The Houston Cougars were too much to handle for the Bryant women's volleyball team on Sunday afternoon, securing the 3-0 sweep to wrap up the Duke Tournament.
Game Information
Final: Houston 3, Bryant 0
Records: Bryant (0-3, 0-0 America East), Houston (3-0, 0-0 Big 12)
Location: Cameron Indoor Stadium, Durham, NC
COACH GARLACY'S COMMENTS
"After a slow start we settled in and competed today. We faced a big block and once we adjusted to that we found ways to score."
"I was proud of our receivers and setters today."
HOW IT HAPPENED
- SET 1 – The Bulldogs first points all came from attack or service errors from the Cougars as they trailed 8-4 in the opening set. The Cougars then went on a dominant 12-4 run to take a commanding 20-8 lead over the Bulldogs, forcing a Bryant timeout. The Bulldogs got some late kills from Arianna Ugolini and London Hunt to cut the deficit to 23-11, but the Cougars closed out the first set with a 25-12 victory.
- SET 2 – The Bulldogs kept the second set much closer than the first. They pulled within two when Ana Fuertes-Brito powered home a kill to make it 7-5 Cougars. Maeve Voltz continued to be the spark the Bulldogs needed all weekend long as she rattled off back-to-back kills to trim down the Cougars lead to 12-9. The Bulldogs always seemed to be playing from behind however as the Cougars went on an 8-3 run to go up 20-12, prompting a Bryant timeout. Bryant showed some life after the timeout as Melis Isik set up London Hunt for a kill. The Bulldogs continued to fight as Ruth Ochelli tallied 2 kills and Arianna Ugolini added another to cut the Cougars lead down to 23-20. However, the momentum was short lived for the Bulldogs as the Cougars sealed the second set victory 25-21.
- SET 3 – The Bulldogs battled in the third set, but the Cougars came out on top, securing the sweep with a 25-18 victory. It started with the Cougars jumping out to a 7-4 lead, but the Bulldogs responded as Ruth Ochelli hammered a kill and Arianna Ugolini served an ace to pull within one, 7-6. Bryant pulled within one again after a kill from Ana Fuertes-Brito to cut the deficit to 11-10. Houston then went on a 7-1 run to take the 18-11 lead and distance themselves from Bryant. The Bulldogs best stretch of the day came later in the set as they rattled off three consecutive kills courtesy of London Hunt, Ana Fuertes-Brito, and Arianna Ugolini to trail 20-15. Madison Koeller notched a service ace at the tail end of the set as the Bulldogs trailed 24-18, but it wasn't enough as the Cougars finished off the third set to sweep the Bulldogs.
STATS
MATCH NOTES
- The Bulldogs and Cougars were meeting for the first time in program history. It was also the first time the Bulldogs have ever faced a Big 12 opponent in women's volleyball.
- Melis Isik now has 20 career games where she's recorded double-digit assists.
NEXT UP
The Bulldogs return to Rhode Island for the Ocean State Cup hosted by Providence College next weekend. Their first game of the tournament is on Friday (Sep. 5) against Brown. First serve is at 7:00 PM.
