Dani Milner
Dani Milner

Bentley Sweeps Past Bridgeport for 15th Win

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. – Sophomores Dani Milner (Plano, Texas/The Greenhill School), Rachel Bruno (San Diego, Calif./Frances Parker School) and Xio Lopp (Kalispell, Mont./Flathead HS) combined to hit .348 as Bentley University swept the University of Bridgeport, 3-0, in non-conference women's volleyball Tuesday evening at the Hubbell Gym. The scores were 25-23, 25-23 and 25-18.

Milner led the way with 14 kills, nine digs, two blocks and a .342 hitting percentage. Bruno swung at a .333 success rate and finished with 10 kills, eight digs and three blocks. Lopp handled the setting duties for Bentley in the first two sets and contributed 20 assists, six digs, five digs and three blocks.

Blocks played a key role in the contest with the Falcons finishing with a 10-0 advantage over the perennial East Region power. Senior McKenna Buck (Renton, Wash./Holy Names Acad.) and sophomore Caitlin Corcoran (Trappe, Pa./Perkiomen Valley HS) led the way in that department with six and five block assists, respectively.

The opening set featured five lead changes and 14 ties, the last at 22-all, before a kill by Lopp put the Falcons in front. An ace by senior Isabella Perez (Lafayette, Calif./Carondelet HS) made it a two-point advantage, and after a Bridgeport kill, a shared block by Bruno and Milner gave Bentley the set.

In the third, Bentley countered a 5-1 Purple Knight start with a 7-2 spurt and never relinquished the lead. A kill by Corcoran ended the match with the Falcons improving to 15-6 and Bridgeport dropping to 8-11. Junior Krista Campbell (Newtown, Pa./Council Rock North HS) handled the setting in the third and provided the assist on 15 of 17 kills.

Bridgeport was led by senior Bruna Santos (Curitiba, Brazil), who be hit .433 with 14 kills.

Bentley will also be on the road Saturday, playing a 5 pm match at American International.