Smithfield, RI- Nov. 1 2009 - The Robert Morris University Colonials dropped a 3-1 decision to the Bryant Bulldogs on Sunday afternoon at the Chace Center. RMU took the first set 25-19, but Bryant won the next three sets (25-23, 25-19, 25-20) to earn the match victory. The loss drops the Colonials to 10-18 overall and 7-4 in NEC play, while the Bulldogs improve to 10-19 overall and 5-6 in the league.
Bryant opened up set one with the first three points, but a kill by junior Amanda Graham (Melbourne, Fla. / Eau Gallie) gave the Colonials a side-out, which was followed by three more RMU points to give Robert Morris a 4-3 lead. The Colonials and the Bulldogs swapped points until 10-10 when a strong serving run by freshmanNicole Wiechecki (Wilmington, Del. / Ursuline Academy) gave Robert Morris a 13-10 lead. Robert Morris was able to sustain that lead for the remainder of play and won the set 25-19 following a Wiechecki service ace.
The Bulldogs did not let the first set loss deter them and came back in set two and won 25-23. Graham started the second set with a kill, which was followed by a Bryant attacking error to give RMU a 2-0 advantage. The Bulldogs quickly got in a rhythm and went on a six point run off the serve of Maria Scocca to grab an 8-5 lead. The Bulldogs and the Colonials exchanged side-outs for the next several points. Bryant continued to maintain the lead, but Robert Morris slowly cut into that lead until the score was tied at 19-19. The two teams continued to battle back and forth, but Bryant came out with the victory following a kill by Scocca and an RMU error.
Bryant carried their momentum over to the third set and won 25-19. Bryant started off the set with an early advantage by scoring the first three points, but Robert Morris got back into the set and eventually took a 14-11 lead. However, Bryant slowly crawled their way back into the lead at 17-16 with a kill by Jazmin Stoner. The Colonials were never able to recover, which led to the Bryant win.
The score remained close for the majority of the fourth set, but Bryant held the Colonials to a .000 hitting percentage and tallied 13 kills to RMU's 7 to earn the 25-20 set win and match triumph.
Freshman Amanda Craig (Houston, Texas / St. Agnes Academy) led the Colonials with 11 kills and added 12 digs for her second consecutive double-double. Craig and Graham led the match with four blocks a piece and junior libero Corinne Moser (Meyersdale, Pa. / Meyersdale) added 17 digs. Freshman Lindsey Monger (Rising Sun, Md. / Rising Sun) was the only other Colonial to tally double-digit digs and contributed 12.
Robert Morris returns to action tomorrow when it faces Quinnipiac at 2:00 p.m. in Hamden, Conn.
