Firebirds Volleyball Succumbs to League-Leading Bridgeport, 3-1

BRIDGEPORT, CT – Playing in her final match as a Firebird, senior Vanessa Garley led her team with 12 kills to go with three service aces, nine digs and three blocks, but the University of the District of Columbia volleyball team fell to East Coast Conference-leading Bridgeport, 3-1 in its season finale on the road Friday night. The Purple Knights won by set scores of 25-18, 25-23, 22-25, 25-13.

The Firebirds finished the season with an overall record of 12-16, including a 5-11 mark in the ECC. They had one more win than last season despite playing five fewer overall matches, and they more than doubled their conference win total from a year ago. Bridgeport improved to 20-4 overall and 12-1 in the league as the Purple Knights will be a No. 1 seed in the upcoming ECC Volleyball Tournament.

Junior Julia Lynch (Studio Art – Spring Creek, NV/Spring Creek HS) was the Firebirds defensive catalyst as she recorded a team-high 12 digs while also adding three blocks (one solo), four service aces and eight kills. Sophomore Ariana Scott (Business – Lakewood, CA/Mayfair HS) pitched in with eight kills and seven digs as well.

Bridgeport, which out-hit the Firebirds .266 to .105, featured three players with double-figure kills in Ying Shen (14), Darsel Springer (13) and Larissa Oliveira (10). Shen and Taylor MacBeth also led the Purple Knights with three service aces apiece while Fernanda Silva directed the offense with 42 assists.