FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Sacred Heart University women's volleyball team continued its strong start to the Northeast Conference schedule. The Pioneers remained perfect in league play as they defeated Bryant University 3-0 (25-14, 25-17, 25-19) in the opener then took the nightcap 3-0 (25-23, 25-23, 25-21) as well on Monday.

Records:
Bryant: 2-3, 2-2 NEC
Sacred Heart: 5-3, 4-0 NEC

Top Performers:
Olivia Fairchild (SHU): 17 kills, 4 aces (GM1); 13 kills, 6 digs (GM2)
Sarah Ciszek (SHU): 29 assists, 17 digs (GM1); 25 assists, 14 digs, 5 kills (GM2)
Jasmine Rogers (SHU): 10 kills, 13 digs (GM1)

Up Next:
Sacred Heart goes on the road to face LIU at 2 pm.

Of Note:
Bryant opened the first match with a 10-8 lead but things got out of hand quickly as the Pioneers went on an 11-1 run. Jasmine Rogers had four of her 10 kills during that run.

SHU got out to a fast start in set three with an 11-4 lead that was aided by four Bryant miscues and two aces from libero Emma Smallcomb.

Sacred Heart hit an impressive .315 in the first match while limiting the Bulldogs to .083 thanks to a 56-47 advantage in digs. SHU also had seven aces.

Bryant did not roll over and play dead in the second match as it fought back in each set after the Pioneers got a bid lead. Three-straight Emma McGovern kills gave BU a 23-22 lead in the opening set, but a service error then kills from Rogers and Olivia Fairchild closed out the set. The Bulldogs got within 24-23 after falling behind 24-21 in the second set, only to commit a service error on set point.

Named NEC Player of the Week on Monday, Fairchild had double-digit kills in both matches. She produced match highs of 17 kills in the opener and a baker's dozen in game two. Rogers had a 10 kill, 13-dig double-double in match one.

There were a trio of double-doubles in the first match as Sarah Ciszek handed out 29 assists with a match-high 17 digs. Smallcomb – who picked up NEC Defensive Player of the Week – notched 15 digs and 12 assists. Ciszek had another double-double in match two, handing out 25 assists and 14 digs.