Sept. 21, 2011

Box Score

Setting the Scene
Back home after a weekend tournament at Penn, Rhode Island defeated in-state rival Brown, 3-1.

How It Happened
After the teams split the first two sets, the Rams took control by finishing strong in the third and fourth sets. Trailing 19-18 in the third frame, Rhody scored four straight points - including a kill by sophomore Britta Baarstad and a pair of service aces from freshman Catie Steffen to build a 22-19 lead. From there, the teams traded points until a kill by senior Kayla Wilson gave URI a 2-1 lead in sets.

In the final set, the scored was tied 18-18 before three straight attack errors by Brown (4-7) provided Rhode Island a cushion. Baarstad provided three of the final four Rhody points of the night with kills, including one on an assist from senior Candice to end the match.

Top Performances
Senior setter Candice Kolkka sparked the offense when she entered the match in the third set for Rhode Island. Kolkka had 11 assists in both the third and fourth sets, adding three kills in four attacks.

Britta Baarstad led the Rams with 16 kills, and was particularly strong in the third set. She had five kills and just one error in 11 attacks. Kayla Wilson dominated on attack with 13 kills and just three attack errors in 34 attempts. She added 10 digs on defense.

What it Means
Heading into their first Atlantic 10 match of the season, the Rams (7-6) have won back-to-back matches to move back above the .500 mark.

Stat of the Day
Rhode Island converted 53 percent (46-of-87) of its sideout opportunities against Brown. Dating back to its loss to Penn on Sept. 16. Rhody has converted at least 50 percent of its sideout chances in 10 consecutive sets.

What's Next
Rhode Island travels to Fordham Saturday, Sept. 24 (4 p.m.) for its first conference match of the year. Fordham (3-9) lost 3-2 at Stony Brook Wednesday. Earlier this season, URI defeated Stony Brook on the road.