SMITHFIELD, R.I. - The Bryant University women's volleyball team will battle in the third annual Ocean State Cup this weekend from Sept. 4-6 in Kingston, Rhode Island. Hosted by Rhode Island, the tournament will see Bryant face off against three in-state opponents — the Rams, Providence and Brown — over three days.
The Bulldogs will clash with Rhode Island on Friday, Sept. 4 at 7 p.m. They will then square off with Providence on Saturday, Sept. 5 at 1 p.m. before going head-to-head with Brown on Sunday, Sept 6 at 12 p.m. All games will be held at Keaney Gymnasium and streamed on ESPN+.
TOURNAMENT INFO:
Game #2- Bryant vs Providence
Time: Saturday, Sept. 5, 1 p.m.
Game #3- Bryant vs Brown
Time: Sunday, Sept. 6, 12 p.m.
SERIES HISTORY:
Rhode Island
- Bryant holds a 6-1 all-time record against Rhode Island and has defeated the Rams in six straight meetings.
- The Bulldogs bested the Rams, 3-1, in the 2025 Ocean State Cup at Providence. Arianna Ugolini posted a 21-kill, 10-dig double-double in the win.
Providence
- Bryant holds a 10-6 all-time record against Providence and has gone 7-3 against the Friars in its last 10 meetings.
- The Bulldogs edged out the Friars, 3-2, in the 2025 Ocean State Cup. Kaitlin Curran registered her first career double-double (10 kills, 13 digs) in the win.
Brown
- Bryant holds a 4-10 all-time record against Brown.
- The Bulldogs were swept by the Bears in the 2025 Ocean State Cup.
BULLDOG NOTES AND NOTABLES:
- Bryant picked up its first win of the young season in a sweep against Stonehill on Sept. 2 at the Chace Athletic Center.
- Hannah Jackson slammed down a career-high 11 kills on a .421 hitting percentage against the Skyhawks. Jackson has produced 32 kills and 37.5 points to begin 2026.
- Curran is averaging 10.5 kills per match and has totaled a team-best 42 kills through her first four appearances.
SCOUTING THE RAMS:
- Rhode Island is 3-0 to open its season for the first time since 2012. They picked up victories over Siena, Holy Cross and Central Connecticut State in the CCSU Tournament last weekend.
- Dakota Henry was named the Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Week and selected to CCSU All-Tournament Team after recording 20-or-more digs in her first three appearances.
- The Rams are led by third-year head coach Ryan Sullivan.
SCOUTING THE FRIARS:
- Providence sits at 2-1 following sweeps over Saint Peter's and New Haven and a loss against New Hampshire in the University of New Hampshire Tournament.
- Sophia Adkins paces the Friars in kills with 34.
- The Fairs are coached by Margot Royer-Johnson, who is in her 27th season at the helm of the program.
SCOUTING THE BEARS:
- The Ocean State Cup will serve as Brown's opening matches of the 2026 season. The Bears went 14-10 in 2025.
- The Bears return Sophia Wolfson, who was named First Team All-Ivy League last season after racking up 252 kills in 24 matches.
- Brown is led by fourth-year head coach Taylor Virtue.
