CATONSVILLE, Md. — The Bryant University women's volleyball team fell to UMBC , 3-2, in a back-and-forth, five-set battle at Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena on Saturday, Oct. 24.
The Bulldogs (10-14, 4-2 America East) claimed the first and third sets while the Retrievers (11-7, 6-0 AE) took the second and fourth sets to send the match to a decisive fifth set. UMBC edged out Bryant, 15-13, to remain undefeated in conference play.
QUOTE FROM HEAD COACH THERESA GARLACY:
"Today's match was championship-level play. Senior captain Brookelyn Talmadge dominated at the net both offensively and defensively. Kaitlin Curran led the way defensively and our setters did such a great job distributing the ball. The team focused on everything we worked on this past week of practice and we are so very proud of how we competed today."
HOW IT HAPPENED:
SET 1- Bryant, 25-17
SET 2- UMBC, 25-21
- The Retrievers built up a 13-8 advantage out the gate.
- Bryant responded with a 6-1 surge, featuring a Madison Koeller ace and Talmadge kill, to knot the score at 14-14. UMBC retook the lead, moving back in front 18-15.
- The Bulldogs got within a point twice more, yet the Retrievers fended them off to tie the contest at a set a piece.
SET 3- Bryant, 25-22
- The Bulldogs built a 14-7 advantage behind two kills apiece from Curran, Alvarado and Jackson.
- The Retrievers trimmed their margin and eventually trailed 20-16.
- Talmadge and Jackson put down kills before a UMBC attack error put Bryant back ahead in sets.
SET 4- UMBC, 25-23
- UMBC held a 12-8 edge after the first 20 rallies.
- After falling behind 19-13, the Bulldogs put together a 4-1 spurt, highlighted by Olatunde and Jackson block assists, to trail only 20-17.
- Koeller delivered an ace and the Retrievers committed an error to level the score at 22-22, but UMBC scored three of the next four points to force a fifth set.
SET 5- UMBC, 15-13
- Bryant and UMBC were deadlocked at 5-5 following a Retrievers service error.
- The Retrievers scored three consecutive points to take an 11-8 lead, forcing a Bulldogs timeout.
- The Bulldogs used two UMBC attack errors to tie the set at 13-13 until the Retrievers won the next two rallies to secure the victory.
STATS AND NOTES:
- Talmadge produced 10 kills and five block assists for 12.5 total points.
- Koeller notched a 27-assist, 14-dig double-double.
- Curran has logged a team-leading nine double-doubles in 2026.
- Two Bulldogs (Barron, Curran) totaled 20-or-more digs in a match for the first time this season.
- Four of Bryant's six conference games have gone to five sets.
NEXT UP:
The Bulldogs will travel to Newark, New Jersey on Friday, Oct. 30 to face NJIT for the second time this season. First serve is set for 2 p.m. and the match will be streamed on AmericaEast.TV.
