Summary of Bryant Volleyball’s Successful Season
Bryant University’s volleyball team concluded its season with significant achievements as they marked their fourth year in the America East Conference. The Bulldogs secured their inaugural America East regular season title, sharing the honor with UMBC, and finished with an impressive record of 16 wins and 12 losses, including a 7-3 standing in conference matches. Their journey ended in the America East semifinals with a straight-set loss to the third-seeded UAlbany Great Danes.
Season Highlights
Head coach Theresa Garlacy, now in her 30th year with the team, celebrated these accomplishments, emphasizing the perseverance and teamwork that drove the Bulldogs:
“I couldn’t be prouder of this championship team. We will raise a banner to them. Winning a regular season title is so difficult, I’m not sure people realize how hard the grind is to win consistently week in and week out. They never wavered in their support for each other and focusing on the team’s goals. They have set the foundation for success in the America East!”
Key Victories
The season featured several notable wins, including:
- Victory over Providence College on September 6 in five sets, marking their first win at Alumni Hall since 2018.
- A triumph against defending MAAC champion Fairfield on September 17 in four sets, initiating a five-match winning streak.
- A win against Boston College in the BC Invitational, marking only the second victory in program history against the Eagles and ending their perfect start to the season.
- A sweep of the New Hampshire Wildcats in their opening road conference match, their first win in Durham since 2011.
Home Court Advantage
The Bulldogs excelled at the Chace Athletic Center, posting a 7-4 home record. Their 4-1 performance in conference play included victories over UAlbany, Binghamton, New Hampshire, and NJIT, with the win against NJIT securing their share of the regular season title on Senior Night.
Acknowledged Players
The season’s standout players included:
- Arianna Ugolini: Americe East Player of the Year and First Team All-Conference for the third consecutive season. She led the conference with 419 kills and 43 service aces.
- Brookelyn Talmadge: Second Team All-Conference, boasting a .406 hitting percentage and leading the team with 72 total blocks.
- Madison Koeller: Instrumental to the Bulldogs’ offense, setting a career-high in assists (815) and surpassing 1,000 career assists.
- Ruth Ochelli & Kaitlin Curran: Both earned All-Rookie team honors, contributing significantly with 204 and 202 kills, respectively.
Defensive Standouts
On the defensive side, Carrina Barron and Claudia Camacho-Castro combined for 396 digs. Barron approached a personal milestone, sitting at 996 career digs. Camacho-Castro also made notable contributions, leading the team with 38 service aces.
Future Aspirations
The team has laid a strong foundation for the future and will count on its junior class’s leadership moving forward. The Bulldogs, who achieved their first America East regular season title and recognized individual accolades including a Player of the Year, aim for continued success next season.
