Smithfield, R.I. – The UMBC volleyball team (7-5, 1-0 AE) opened America East Conference play with a convincing 3-0 victory over Bryant (10-8, 0-1) at Chace Athletic Center.

The Retrievers prevailed, 25-14, 28-26 and 25-19 to avenge a regular season loss at Bryant in 2022.

UMBC recorded a season high 14 blocks (28 assisted blocks) in the match. Junior Mila Ilieva led the way with eight BA's, followed by six for Michela De Marzi's and five for Weronika Wrzesinska.  

Senior Kamani Conteh led the offense 11 kills on 18 swings (.389). Freshman Julija Grubisic Cabo added nine kills and Wrzesinska contributed eight. Freshman Hannah Howard led the way with 17 digs.

UMBC hit .277 for the match and held the Bulldogs to .066 hitting.

HOW IT HAPPENED

SET 1 – Sophomore Serin Madin opened a 5-0 UMBC run with a service ace to give the visitors a 15-7 lead. Bryant responded with four consecutive points, but it was all Retrievers from that point forward as they cruised to a first set victory.

SET 2 – Bryant took an early 12-8 lead and UMBC continually played from behind in the set. The Retrievers rallied to knot the set at 21-all, but had to fend off set points at 24-23 and 25-24. Conteh gave UMBC a 27-26 lead with a put-away before a Bryant setting error decided the set.

SET 3 – Trailing 9-6, Howard served nine consecutive points to turn the set around. Bryant would cut a 20-10 deficit to 22-18, but a kill by Conteh, the first career kill by freshman Helen Frankovich and a match-ender by Grubisic Cabo turned out the lights in Chace.

The Retrievers have a quick turnaround, bussing back to Baltimore to face a strong New Hampshire squad which was idle on Friday. UMBC will wear pink uniforms to support the fight against breast cancer.