How It Happened
Rhode Island jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the match, claiming the first two sets from Hartford by a combined score of 50-29. The Rams did not trail in either set, but were most dominant in the second, where they converted on eight of 10 sideout opportunities and hit .345 in the 25-10 victory.

The Hawks led through much of the third set, and appeared to be in control at 19-15 but the Rams closed things out with a late rally. After a Hartford service error, Rhody got back-to-back points on a pair of kills by Franki Darnold and Marie Gillcrist. Kylee Wolfe then served up a pair of aces to first tie it at 19-19 and then give the Rams their first lead of the set at 20-19. Three more Darnold kills put URI up 23-19 before a Hawks error set the Rams up for match point. Hartford would score once more but Darnold quickly followed with the match-clinching kill to complete the 3-0 sweep.

Inside the Box Score

• Senior Franki Darnold led all players with a match-high 16 kills. She was the only player on either team to reach double digits.
• Junior Callan Kinnan recorded 36 of Rhody's 37 assists while also adding a kill, an ace and a pair of block assists.
• Both Darnold and Kinnan were named to the UConn Invitational All-Tournament Team.
• Senior Lizzy Scanlon matched her career-best with a match-high four service aces. She also recorded four against New Hampshire her freshman year (Aug. 31, 2012).
• Scanlon also led Rhode Island in digs, with 10.
• Sophomore Marie Gillcrist and junior Layne Self each finished with nine kills for the Rams. Gillcrist also added three block assists while Self had one block assist and one solo.
• Sophomore Sam Roberts posted career-highs in both kills (7) and block assists (2). Classmate Kylee Wolfe matched her career-best with a pair of service aces.
• Freshman Olivia Budinich made her collegiate debut in the win, appearing in all three sets and recording four digs. She is the first Rhody rookie to see action this season.

Stat of the Match
10 - Rhode Island is now 10-0 in the all-time series with Hartford.

What's Next 
The Rams are back in action next weekend when they travel to New Haven, Conn. for the Yale Invitational.