Pioneers Bested by Bryant 3-0

Friday, September 24

Smithfield, RI

7:00 PM

Sacred Heart University Department of Athletics

6-6,0-1NEC

Bryant University

8-8,1-0NEC

Sacred Heart

Bryant

9/24/2021 10:21:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

Eford leads the way with 11 kills

SMITHFIELD, RI – An epic first set went against the Sacred Heart University women's volleyball team and the Pioneers couldn't rebound Friday night at Bryant University. SHU dropped its Northeast Conference opener 3-0 (36-34, 25-20, 25-23) to the Bulldogs.

Records:
Sacred Heart: 6-6, 0-1 NEC
Bryant: 8-8, 1-0 NEC

Top Performers:
Mackenzie Eford (SHU): 11 kills
Sarah Ciszek: 10 kills, 26 assists, 8 digs
Emma Smallcomb (SHU): 16 digs

Up Next:
The Pioneers continue to their road trip at Merrimack on Saturday at 5 p.m.

Of Note:
Sacred Heart staved off three set points in set one before pulling ahead 26-25 on a Bryant error. Each team had chances to win the opening stanza but couldn't get the deciding point. SHU tied the set, 34-34, on an Olivia Fairchild kill, but the Bulldogs got a kill and Pioneer miscue to win the opening frame.

SHU allowed the Bulldogs to hit .308 in the second set. A Jasmine Roger' kill put the Pioneers up 23-22 in the third set, but Bryant got two kills and a block to close out the match.

Pacing the Pioneers with a season-high 11 kills was middle blocker Mackenzie Eford. Setter Sarah Ciszek just missed a triple double with 10 kills, 26 assists and eight digs. Libero Emma Smallcomb produced a match-high 16 digs.