How it Happened
Rhode Island (1-6) struggled to keep up with Bucknell, falling in three sets to the Bison on the first day of the CCSU Invitational Friday night.

Rhode Island jumped out quickly in the first set, building a 14-7 lead following kills from Sophie Bullard and Natale Zanellato. After the teams traded points, the Rams led 17-10. From there, Bucknell went on an 11-4 run to tie the score 21-21. Gabrielle Shilling had a pair of kills to keep Rhody in front at 22-21 and 23-22, but the Bison scored the final three points to complete the comeback and take the first set.

Despite committing just two attack errors in the second set, Rhode Island struggled to get momentum going on offense, dropping the set, 25-16. The play was back-and-forth early in the third set. A kill by Hazel Brown pulled the Rams within 10-9, but Bucknell ran off five straight points to open a six-point advantage. The lead allowed the Bison to cruise down the stretch and close out the match in three sets.

Inside the Box Score

• Redshirt junior Natale Zanellato led the Rhode Island offense with nine kills, while sophomore Gabrielle Shilling added seven kills.
• Junior Annie Ell had 27 assists to go with seven digs.
• Sophomore Ella Ratzloff had 12 digs to lead the team.
• Senior Hazel Brown had three of Rhody's four service aces. Ratzloff added the fourth.

Up Next
The Rams play a pair of matches Saturday. They take on Saint Peter's at 1:30 p.m. and close out the weekend against host Central Connecticut State at 6:30 p.m.