How It Happened
Rhode Island (11-12) swept in-state rival Providence 26-24, 25-15, 25-16 as three different Rams reached double digits in kills.

Catie Steffen (14), Franki Darnold (13) and Lena Vedder (10) paced a balanced Rhode Island attack that outscored Providence (11-14) by 21 points on the night.

In a back-and-forth opening set, the Rhody defense was the difference. The Rams had four team blocks, led by Layne Self and Lena Vedder. Self had four block assists, while Vedder had a solo block and two assists. Self and Callan Kinnan combined on a block to close out the set.

From there, the Rams cruised in the second set. Holding a 6-3 lead, Rhode Island used a 14-4 run to open up an 18-8 lead and coast to a 25-25 score. In the third set, with the score tied 14-14, Rhode Island ended the match with an 11-2 run.

Inside the Box Score

• Freshman Layne Self had seven blocks, and now has 97 on the season. With three more blocks, she will become the first Ram since 2003 to reach 100 in one season. Michelle Fulton had 108 total blocks that year.
• Sophomore Franki Darnold posted a .462 hitting percentage, finishing with 13 kills and just one error in 26 attacks. Darnold added 15 digs for her team-leading 12th double-double of the season.
• Freshman Lena Vedder had 10 kills and three blocks.
• Sophomore Lizzy Scanlon tied Darnold with a had a match-high 15 digs. She now has 230 digs for the year.
• Freshman Callan Kinnan had 38 assists, seven digs and two block assists.
• The match was the volleyball team's Play for P.I.N.K. match for breast cancer awareness.

Stat of the Day
33 – In the opening set, there was a stretch of 33 points in which the teams were either tied or separated by just one point.

What's Next
Rhode Island is home for a pair of Atlantic 10 matches this weekend, hosting George Mason Friday at 7 p.m. and VCU Saturday at 6 p.m. in the team's Homecoming match.