SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Holy Cross volleyball team suffered a 3-1 setback to nonconference opponent Bryant Wednesday evening in the Chace Athletic Center.

The loss snapped a two match winning streak for Holy Cross and moved them to 2-5 on the campaign while the Bulldogs improve to 3-4 in the early stages of the season.

Freshman setter/right side KK Green manufactured 12 kills with two total blocks and two digs. Classmate, outside hitter Emma Sorensen tallied 10 kills as well.

SET SCORES:
Bulldogs 3, Crusaders 1 (20-25, 25-23, 22-25, 15-25)

HOW IT HAPPENED: 

• Sorensen gave the Crusaders an early 4-3 lead in the first set converting a set from sophomore setter Tuana Ozarpaci. A Crusader service error and three kills opened up a 12-9 margin for the Bulldogs. Sophomore outside hitter Gabby Wold put her team down one, 13-12, but four straight made it a 17-12 edge for the home team. A Green kill and block at the right side from Wold and freshman right side Madelyn Blakey trimmed the deficit to three, 17-14. Freshman middle blocker Kyla Harris placed an ace keeping the Crusaders behind 23-20 until Bryant tallied the final two points.
• Holy Cross started the second set off fast building a 5-1 advantage. A Harris stuff doubled up their counterparts at 8-4. Green produced three points, two kills and a block opening up a 16-13 advantage. Junior outside hitter Lily Eigner kept her team in front at 19-16 until Bryant evened the score 20-20. Ozarpaci aced Bryant putting the score at 23-21. In front by one, Green won the set for the Crusaders and tied the match 1-1.
• In the third set, Bryant blocked a Crusader attack attempt making the score 5-2. A 5-0 stretch from Holy Cross with a pair of Sorensen aces gave them a 7-5 advantage. The run expanded to 8-1 following a sophomore Alana Whitwell ace as Holy Cross led 10-6. After a Bryant timeout, Harris and Green combined for a block increasing the scoring spurt to 9-1 and score to 11-6. Bryant regained the lead going on an 8-1 burst of their own making it 14-12. A Harris ace, part of three straight for the Crusaders put them back ahead 17-16. On set point, Holy Cross fought back to come within two, but Bryant closed out the set.
• The Bulldogs started the fourth set on a 15-4 scoring run. Holy Cross dropped their deficit to eight, 16-8 following an attack error. Bryant eventually clinched the match.

INSIDE THE BOX:

• Sorensen recorded double-digit kills for the third straight match.
• Ozarpaci double-doubled for the first time in her career with team-highs in assists (17) and digs (12).
• Holy Cross outblocked Bryant eight-to-six.

UP NEXT:

• The Crusaders head to the opening evening of the Friar Invitational to take on Merrimack (1-4), Friday, Sept. 12 at 7:30 p.m. in Providence.

 
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