Sept. 14, 2002

Box Score

KINGSTON, R.I. - The University of Rhode Island volleyball team dropped a tough 3-2 decision against 2001 NCAA Sweet 16 participant Utah State at the URI Volleyball Classic in Keaney Gymnasium on Saturday morning.

Rhode Island won the first two games, 30-26 and 30-26, but Utah State rallied to take the final three games by scores of 30-25, 30-23 and 17-15 for the victory.

Sophomore Kaleena Miller(Mahopac, N.Y.) led the way for Rhode Island in the setback, tallying a double-double with a career-high 26 kills to go with 12 digs. Junior Michelle Fulton(Dana Point, Calif.) was also impressive for the Rams, posting 13 kills and five blocks with an outstanding .423 attack percentage.

Junior setter Julia Schlecht (Sundern, Germany) posted 59 assists, 11 digs and three block assists for the Rams (1-7). Sophomores Brooke Ecklund (San Luis Obispo, Calif.) and Abby Thornbladh (Ann Arbor, Mich.) had 14 and 10 kills, respectively for URI.

Senior Juliana Valencia (Columbia, South America) had a match-high 18 digs and junior Mary Kate Reardon (Bellmore, N.Y.) had 10 digs, four kills and three blocks.

Zuzana Cernianska tallied 18 kills and 13 digs, four service aces and three blocks to lead the way for the visiting Aggies (5-3). Tereza Cernianska added 17 kills and nine digs while Erin Cartwright notched 14 kills, 13 digs and six blocks in the win.

The Rams will return to action this evening when they host Northeastern in the final game of the 2002 URI Volleyball Classic at Keaney Gym at 7:00 p.m.