SCORE: UAlbany 3, Bryant 1 (25-22, 18-25, 25-20, 27-25)
 
LOCATION: Chace Athletic Center - Smithfield R.I.
 
RECORD: UAlbany 11-14, 5-5 AE | Bryant 18-10, 4-6 AE
 
SHORT STORY: UAlbany secured a 3-1 victory over Bryant, earning their place in the America East Volleyball Championship with strong attacks and key plays in critical moments.
 
COACH JOSH PICKARD: "It was a fantastic afternoon for the team. They really battled, even in sets where we had to come back they didn't lose faith and worked extremely hard. They had a goal all season and I couldn't be prouder of each of them."
 
KEY STATS

• Redshirt-junior Shynelle Woroniuk led the Great Danes with 14 kills and two service aces. Junior Tori Wilson followed with 10 kills on an impressive .450 hitting percentage.
• Freshman Maria Olga Siapani facilitated 39 assists.
• Redshirt-sophomore Brook Malek led the Great Danes' defense with 12 digs.
• Wilson also led with five blocks at the net.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• UAlbany started strong in set one by building a 10-5 lead with kills and blocks from middle blocker Tori Wilson and setter Maria Olga Siapani.
• Bryant rallied to tie the set at 13 but the Great Danes regained momentum with a key kill by outside hitter Shynelle Woroniuk.
• The Purple and Gold held their ground to close the set at 25-22 with consistent attacks.

• It was a back-and-forth battle to open set two with both teams exchanging points until it was tied at 11.
• The Bulldogs gained momentum with a ten-point scoring run.
• Bryant maintained control in the closing stretch and won, 25-18, to even the match at 1-1.

• It was another back-and-forth battle in set three until the Bulldogs pulled slightly ahead.
• The Great Danes gained the lead after a 5-1 scoring run put them up by two.
• UAlbany closed the set decisively by winning, 25-20, with aggressive net play.

• The Great Danes and the Bulldogs traded points throughout set four again, with each team going on their own scoring runs. 
• The teams battled into extra points with UAlbany fending off a set point and clinching the match at 27-25.
• UAlbany's composure and teamwork in the critical moments sealed their 3-1 match victory.

NEXT: The Great Danes will play in the America East Volleyball Championship next weekend (the host will be determined tomorrow).
 
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