Bryant Volleyball Sweeps New Hampshire to Enter America East Tournament

Bryant University secured a 3-0 sweep over New Hampshire on Senior Night at the Chace Athletic Center on Friday, Nov. 13, finishing the 2026 regular season at 12-16 overall and 6-4 in the America East.

The Bulldogs built an advantage of nine points or better in each set, fending off every Wildcats run. New Hampshire dropped to 15-8 overall and 5-4 in conference play with the loss.

“What an amazing team win. Our senior leadership provided the energy and firepower to bring us victory on this special night. I am very proud of us and excited to see us compete in the America East tournament.” said Theresa Garlacy.”

Bryant opened the match by jumping out to a 7-1 advantage in the first set through kills from Jackson, Ruth Ochelli, and Alvarado. The Bulldogs later pieced together a 6-1 surge featuring a Nina Gavin kill and block to move ahead 18-8, eventually taking the set 25-20.

Things grew more competitive in the middle frame as three successive rallies featured a Kaitlin Curran kill, a block by Ochelli, and an ace from Barron, stretching Bryant’s advantage to 12-6.

After the Bulldogs grew their margin to 17-8, the Wildcats scored seven unanswered points to face a two-point deficit at 17-15 before tying the score at 21-21. Curran and Alvarado added late kills, and Layla Olatunde came up with a block at set-point to seal a 26-24 victory.

In the third set, Bryant forged a 13-7 lead behind five Jackson kills. The hosts lengthened their advantage to 19-10 through a 6-2 stretch that included a kill, block, and ace from Koeller on the way to a 25-18 final set.

The victory marks four straight wins for the Bulldogs over the Wildcats. Alvarado logged a double-double for the third straight match and her sixth total of the season, while Koeller produced a team-high eight double-doubles in 2026. Defensively, Ochelli generated three solo blocks and two block assists at the net. Bryant has now finished above .500 in conference play in four of its five seasons in the America East.

The Bulldogs advance to the 2026 America East Volleyball Championship starting Thursday, Nov. 19, with seeding and their first-round opponent depending on the final regular-season results between UAlbany and New Hampshire as well as Binghamton at UMBC on Nov. 15, hosted by top-seeded UMBC.