BOX SCORE
Smithfield, R.I. – The University of Hartford volleyball team grinded out a five-set (15-25, 25-19, 21-25, 26-24, 15-12) victory over the Bryant Bulldogs improving to 7-6 overall in 2011 on Tuesday night. Hartford was led by an impressive 22 kills and .310 hitting percentage from junior Kami Nethersole and 27 digs from sophomore Dionna Kirton, a career-high.
Kami Nethersole's 22 kills led all players in the match and is the second time this season she has finished with 20-plus kills, both times against the Bulldogs. Kirton's 27 digs is the most for a Hartford player this season and the most for a Hawk since September 22, 2010 when senior Danielle Etta stopped 28 attacks. Another impressive feat came in the way of blocks as sophomore Lindsay Anderson stuffed eight Bryant attempts, a career-high and the most for a Hartford player since 2008 when current senior Sydney Scott matched that number against Marist.
As a team, the Hawks got off to a slow start with just five kills and suffering five errors in the opening set, falling by a final score of 25-15. They rebounded to finish the match hitting .212 as a team (60 K, 21 E, 184 TA), including hitting into just 16 errors over the final four sets. Kami Nethersole's .310 hitting percentage (four errors, 58 attempts) led the team overall, while her sister Sareeta Nethersole and senior Michelle Cordell each finished the match hitting .225 or better. The pair also joined Kami Nethersole as the only other Hawks in double figures.
Sareeta Nethersole finished the match with 16 kills and only three errors in 47 total swings for a .277 hitting average and Cordell finished with 13 kills and five errors in 35 total attacks for a final hitting percentage of .229.
Freshman Jackie Tamburri continued to lead her team's offense with 46 assists, while also joining Kirton as one of five players to finish with double digit digs. Tamburri added 10. Joining the pair was Sareeta Nethersole with 17, Saara Carissimi with 16 and Kami Nethersole with 15. Anderson's eight blocks also led all players in the match, with Sareeta Nethersole finishing second for the Hawks with five blocks. As a team, the Hawks combined for 10 total blocks.
The Hawks will play their next three on the road before hosting New Hampshire for the America East opener on September 24. The next three matches will all come in Philadelphia as the Hawks will compete in the Lafayette/Lehigh Cross-town Tournament. Play begins on Friday afternoon against Princeton (3:00 p.m.) at Lehigh.
