How It Happened
Rhode Island got back on the right track by making quick work of La Salle, sweeping the Explorers 3-0 (26-24, 30-28, 25-19) Friday night.

While the match was a sweep, the match was tightly contested in the first two sets. Rhody (12-5, 3-2 Atlantic 10) staved off set point in the opening set and scored three consecutive points to grab the early lead. A block by Sam Roberts and Layne Self clinched the final point of the set for the Rams.

La Salle (6-14, 0-4 A-10) had a golden opportunity to even things when it took a 24-20 lead in the second set. However, the Rams scored five straight points, getting a kill from Roberts, another block from Roberts and Self and an ace from Callan Kinnan during the run. The teams traded points until Rhody senior Franki Darnold delivered three straight kills to close out the second set.

After two tight sets, Rhode Island never trailed in the final set.

Inside the Box Scores

• Rhode Island's defense forced La Salle into 22 attack errors, as the Explorers had a .089 attack percentage for the match.
• Layne Self had a big night on both sides of the net, finishing with 10 kills and seven blocks. She had a .533 attack percentage.
• Audrey Castro continued her hot offense, posting a match-high 16 kills to go with six digs. She has reached double figures in kills in 10 straight matches.
• Olivia Budinich had 12 digs. She now has 25 over her last two matches.
• Callan Kinnan just missed a double-double. She had 34 assists and nine digs. She also had three kills and three blocks.
• Franki Darnold had seven kills and six digs. Three of her kills came in succession during the key stretch of the match, clinching the second set.

Stat of the Day 
6 – In the second set, Rhode Island survived six set points by La Salle before eventually winning the set, 30-28.

What's Next 
Rhode Island is back in action Saturday night when it hosts Duquesne at 7 p.m.