University of Albany Records Three-Set Sweep of Providence in America East Volleyball Action - UAlbany Sports 2011

Albany, N.Y. - Samantha Brostrom recorded a double-double as one of four players with double-digit kills, leading UAlbany to a three-game sweep of Providence in America East Conference volleyball action on Friday evening at University Gym. The Great Danes posted set scores of 25-17, 25-15 and 25-18 to remain undefeated in league play.

The teams played a back-and-forth start to the first set, exchanging points to tie the set seven times in the early going. UAlbany finally took control on a kill by Gabby Whitworth. Laurie Gonzalez took over the service game and served for six straight points to put the Great Danes ahead, 16-10. A service error and a kill by Shelagh Dolan ended the rally for Providence, but Traci Vandegrift and Casey Wright put down consecutive kills to keep UAlbany in control. Dunja Prgomet recorded a service ace to put the Great Danes up 20-13, and force the Friars to take a timeout. UAlbany got to set point on a Whitworth kill, but Lauren Fletcher took an assist from Carly Morrison to tally a kill and keep the set going. Whitworth followed up with her third kill to end the set in UAlbany's favor.

Brostrom recorded one of her 11 kills to start the second set off a Providence serve, which gave the ball to Brooke Stanley behind the service line. The senior setter served for seven straight points, including two aces, to give UAlbany a commanding 8-0 advantage to start the set. The Friars were unable to recover from the early deficit, as back-to-back kills by Wright and Stanley increased the Great Danes' lead to 12-2. UAlbany continued to build upon its advantage, and consecutive kills by Wright triggered a timeout by the Friars. Providence came out of the break and got a kill by Lauren Hendel, and the Friars pulled within 21-14 on a UAlbany attack error and a kill by Dolan. However, the Great Danes continued to rally, and got two kills by Brostrom to end the set.

Fletcher tallied back-to-back kills to start the third set, but Vandegrift recorded a kill to give UAlbany control. The Great Danes put Brostrom behind the service line, and the freshman served for 10 straight points, getting two kills from Prgomet and blocks by Vandegrift and Whitworth, as well as serving up an ace, putting UAlbany up, 12-2. Providence called a time out, and came back to score four straight points to cut the deficit to 12-6. Dolan produced a kill and later a service ace to attempt a Providence rally, but UAlbany would not fold. The Great Danes got to match point on a kill by Vanessa Sheffield at 24-14, but the Friars recorded four points to keep the match in action. Wright tallied her 11th and final kill off an assist from Stanley to end the match.

Brostrom totaled 12 digs to complete her double-double, while Wright and Vandegrift each finished with 11 kills apiece. Prgomet added 10 kills, including a team-high five in the final set. Stanley, who finished with 49 assists and 8 digs, quarterbacked the Great Danes to a .466 hitting percentage, as there were five players who recorded a .500 hitting percentage or better. Gonzalez recorded a match-best 13 digs for the Great Danes.

Fletcher recorded a team-high nine kills for the Friars, while four different players recorded three digs. Morrison totaled 18 assists, and Fletcher added a team-high three block assists for Providence (6-14, AE 1-2).

UAlbany (10-7, AE 4-0) will return to action on Friday, Oct. 14, visiting Hartford in America East play.