CHESTNUT HILL, MASS. – The Bryant volleyball team completed the clean sweep of the BC Invitational on Saturday, defeating Stonehill in four sets and Boston College in a thrilling five set match to stretch their win streak to four.
The Bulldogs picked up their second win in program history against the Eagles, snapping a 6-game losing streak dating back to 2013. It was Bryant's first-ever win in Chestnut Hill, spoiling the Eagles' perfect 11-0 start and handing them their first loss of the season.
Game Information
Final: Bryant 3, Stonehill 1
Records: Bryant (5-7, 0-0 America East), Stonehill (1-10, 0-0 NEC)
Location: Margot Connell Recreation Center, Chestnut Hill, Mass.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- SET 1 – The Bulldogs jumped in front 9-5 in the first set as Madison Koeller opened the match with a service ace and Arianna Ugolini pounded a pair of kills. Despite kills from Brookelyn Talmadge and Madison Koeller, the Skyhawks responded by going on a 10-4 run to take the 15-13 lead into a media timeout. The momentum carried over for the Skyhawks as they stretched their lead to 21-16, forcing a Bryant timeout. The Bulldogs regrouped after the timeout as Arianna Ugolini tallied a kill and Kaitlin Curran recorded back-to-back kills. Bryant followed that up with a service ace from Nina Gavin to trim the deficit to 23-21 and force a Stonehill timeout. Despite the late push from the Bulldogs, the Skyhawks closed out the first set 25-21.
- SET 2 – Bryant took the 11-8 lead in the second set, prompting a Stonehill timeout. The Bulldogs strong start was powered by four kills from Kaitlin Curran. Bryant stretched their lead to 19-14 as Brookelyn Talmadge smashed a kill and Arianna Ugolini hammered a pair of kills, then capping it off with a service ace to force a Stonehill timeout. The Bulldogs took care of business as Arianna Ugolini added another kill and an ace and Kaitlin Curran added a pair of kills to seal the second set 25-16 for Bryant.
- SET 3 – The Bulldogs took the 10-5 lead to open the third set, highlighted by a pair of kills each from Ruth Ochelli and Kaitlin Curran, a service ace from Carrina Barron, and capped off with a kill from Arianna Ugolini, forcing a Skyhawk timeout. Bryant continued to impress as they went on a dominant 13-1 run to take a 23-16 lead and force another Stonehill timeout. The run was powered by three kills from Arianna Ugolini, two kills from Brookelyn Talmadge, one from London Hunt, and capped off with a service ace from Ruth Ochelli. Arianna Ugolini put the finishing touches on the set as she added a kill to give the Bulldogs the 25-16 third set victory.
- SET 4 – The momentum from the previous two sets carried over into the fourth set for the Bulldogs, racing out to a commanding 11-2 lead and forcing a Skyhawk timeout. The hot start was powered by a kill and an ace from Kaitlin Curran, a kill and an ace from Ruth Ochelli, and a pair of kills from Arianna Ugolini. Bryant continued to stay in front, stretching their lead to 21-6 as Arianna Ugolini chalked up two more kills and Kaitlin Curran added another kill and service ace, prompting a Stonehill timeout. Bryant polished off the set with a 25-9 win after the timeout as London Hunt, Arianna Ugolini, and Brookelyn Talmadge each chipped in with a kill to seal the win in four sets for the Bulldogs.
STATS
MATCH NOTES
- Bryant moves to 19-0 against Stonehill.
- Arianna Ugolini now has four games with 20+ kills this season.
- Kaitlin Curran has recorded three consecutive games with 10+ kills.
- Madison Koeller has tallied 30+ assists in her last three games.
- Carrina Barron has posted double-digit digs in her last six games.
Game Information
Final: Bryant 3, Boston College 2
Records: Bryant (7-7, 0-0 America East), Boston College (11-1, 0-0 ACC)
Location: Margot Connell Recreation Center, Chestnut Hill, Mass.
COACH GARLACY'S COMMENTS
"A defining moment for our program today with this win! The way it played out in five sets even more exhibits the ability and potential of this amazing group of young women."
"They truly have each other's backs and are willing to do whatever it takes for the team to succeed. I couldn't be prouder!"
HOW IT HAPPENED
- SET 1 – Bryant got off to an 8-5 lead in the first set as Arianna Ugolini recorded a pair of kills and Ruth Ochelli and Brookelyn Talmadge each added one. The Bulldogs then stretched their lead to 15-9, forcing an Eagles timeout as Arianna Ugolini added two more kills. The Eagles flipped the script after the timeout, going on a dominant 13-4 run to take the 22-19 lead. Bryant stayed alive and continued to fight, as Arianna Ugolini notched a service ace, Brookelyn Talmadge added a kill, and Lea Mackey pounded a kill to tie the score at twenty-three a piece. The first set needed extras and London Hunt put it away by tallying back-to-back kills to give Bryant the win 27-25.
- SET 2 – The Eagles pulled in front 8-5 in the second set. The Bulldogs responded by taking the 10-9 lead off a service ace from Madison Koeller. The set continued to be a back-and-forth affair as Bryant took the 15-14 lead with Arianna Ugolini chalking up a pair of kills leading into a media timeout. Bryant pulled ahead by one again, taking the 20-19 lead off a kill from Arianna Ugolini. The Eagles were persistent however, going up 23-21 and forcing a Bryant timeout. The Bulldogs stayed alive, tying the score at twenty-four a piece as Arianna Ugolini recorded a service ace, forcing an Eagles timeout. Bryant couldn't hang on however, as Boston College inched ahead and earned the second set victory 26-24.
- SET 3 – The Bulldogs received back-to-back service aces from Kaitlin Curran early in the third set, but the Eagles grabbed the 10-8 lead. Bryant then went on a mini 5-1 run to take the 13-11 lead as Kaitlin Curran, Ruth Ochelli, and Arianna Ugolini each tallied a kill, prompting a Boston College timeout. The Bulldogs continued to stay in front as Carrina Barron notched a service ace and Brookelyn Talmadge added a kill and a block assist with London Hunt, putting them up 18-13 and forcing another Eagles timeout. Bryant stayed up five, padding their lead to 22-17 as Ruth Ochelli pounded another kill. The Bulldogs pushed the Eagles to the brink as Kaitlin Curran added another service ace to make it 24-21 Bryant. Like the first set, London Hunt polished things off for Bryant as she tapped it over the net, finding a home and giving the Bulldogs the 25-23 third set win.
- SET 4 – The Eagles jumped out to the 15-10 lead into the media timeout, with the Bulldogs offense powered by Kaitlin Curran who smashed three kills and Ruth Ochelli who added two. Boston College then took over and stretched their lead to 23-13. The Eagles polished it off and won the set 25-14, forcing a deciding fifth set.
- SET 5 – The Bulldogs got off to a nice start, winning the first two points as Madison Koeller started it off with a service ace and Ruth Ochelli added a kill. The Eagles countered with a 6-2 run to take the 6-4 lead. Bryant responded by winning the next three points to jump in front 7-6, with kills from Arianna Ugolini, Brookelyn Talmadge, and Kaitlin Curran. The fifth set continued to be a seesaw battle, as Bryant tied the score at nine a piece off a service ace from Kaitlin Curran. The Eagles nudged in front by pair, 12-10. The pendulum continued to swing in the fifth set, as Bryant tied the score at twelve a piece, with Madison Koeller and Ruth Ochelli combining for a block and Arianna Ugolini recording a kill. The Bulldogs pulled ahead as Brookelyn Talmadge tallied a kill and Arianna Ugolini notched a service ace, with an Eagles attack error sealing the fifth set 15-13 and giving the Bulldogs the thrilling road victory in five sets.
STATS
MATCH NOTES
- This was Arianna Ugolini's seventh game this season with 15+ kills. She posted her third double-double of the season with 17 kills and 11 digs.
- Madison Koeller has recorded 40+ assists in 3 out of the last 4 games.
- Kaitlin Curran recorded her third career double-double, and her second in the last three games, posting 14 kills and 14 digs.
NEXT UP
The Bulldogs return home for a non-conference matchup against the New Haven Chargers on Tuesday (Sep.23). First serve is at 7:00 PM at the Chace Athletic Center.
