Bryant University Bulldogs BULLDOGS LOOK FOR FIRST WIN OF 2009 AT MARIST'S "VOLLEY IN THE VALLEY" WEEKEND TOURNAMENT

September 5, 2009

BULLDOGS LOOK FOR FIRST WIN OF 2009 AT MARIST'S "VOLLEY IN THE VALLEY" WEEKEND TOURNAMENT

Gametracker vs. Providence (Sat., 10 a.m.)
Gametracker vs. Bucknell (Sat., 4:30 p.m.)
Gametracker vs. Marist (Sun., 2 p.m.)

SMITHFIELD, R.I. -- Bryant University volleyball looks to grab its first win of the 2009 season in this weekend's Volley in the Valley Tournament, hosted by Marist College Saturday and Sunday in Poughkeepsie, N.Y.

The Bulldogs (0-3) open the weekend Saturday morning with a 10 a.m. bout against crosstown rival Providence College (2-2) at the McCann Center. Bryant went 2-1 against its local rival in 2008, taking 3-0 and 3-2 wins early in the season before suffering a 3-0 loss Nov. 1 at the NJIT Halloween Classic.

Sophomore Maria Scocca (Melrose, Mass.) led the Bulldogs with 33 total kills against the Friars last season while classmate Jazmin Stoner (Durango, Colo.) collected 23 kills in the trio of matches. Bryant looks to continue that success this weekend to start the Volley in the Valley off on the right foot.

But Saturday isn't done after taking on the Friars. The Bulldogs will have just a few hours off before returning to the court at 4:30 p.m. to take on first-time opponent Bucknell University.

The Bison (2-1) have wins over Saint Peter's and Northeast Conference opponent St. Francis (NY) in 2009 and are led by Kaitin Segal's 34 kills on the year. Bucknell's sole loss on the young season came in a 3-0 defeat to NJIT last weekend.

The Bulldogs wrap up their second tournament of the season against foe who is all too fresh in the players' minds. Bryant closes the Volley in the Valley Sunday afternoon against host Marist (2-2), who it saw just over a week ago in the Staybridge Suites Rocket Classic hosted by the University of Toledo Aug. 28 and 29.

The Red Foxes took that matchup in commanding fashion, winning, 3-0 (25-21, 25-16, 25-21). Lindsey Schmid led Marist with 15 kills in the contest and a .522 attack percentage. Stoner and Scocca paced the Bulldogs, recording nine and eight kills, respectively.