Rhode Island Starters
Smith, Britton, Shilling, Wagner, Wright, Hammond, Ratzloff (libero)

Merrimack Starters
Leestma, Rumenapp, Zinser, Haase, Hladick, Wallace, Czech (libero)
 
Set One – Rhode Island 25, Merrimack 16
Rhody was hot right from the start, opening the match on an impressive 14-0 tear. Eight of Rhody's first 14 points came on kills, while the other six were the result of Merrimack errors. The Rams had a comfortable lead after a Tori Britton kill made the score 20-5 Rhode Island, but the Warriors battled back with an 11-3 run that cut the URI lead to seven (23-16). The Rams grabbed the next two points however, to end the late threat and seal the set at 25-16.

Set Two – Rhode Island 25, Merrimack 21
Merrimack claimed three of the first four points in the second set, before Rhody regained control with a 10-3 push. The Rams stretched their lead to 10 on a Gillian Klise kill that made the score 18-8, but Merrimack continued to attack. After a kill by Jamie Smith gave URI set point at 24-17, Merrimack reeled off five consecutive points to close the gap to just three (24-21) before another kill by Smith ended things with Rhody on top 25-21.
 
Set Three – Boston College 26, Rhode Island 24
The third set featured three lead changes and five ties. With Rhode Island ahead 15-10, Merrimack came charging back to tie the score at 16-16. The Warriors then scored the next four points to go up 20-16 and effectively kill the Rams' momentum. The teams traded points the rest of the way, with Rhody slowly reclaiming the lead before scoring four straight points late to win it 26-24.

Inside the Box Score

• Grad student Jamie Smith recorded a match-high 11 kills. She also had six digs and one block.
• Senior Gabrielle Shilling was the only other player to register double-digit kills as she finished with 10.
• Freshman Grace Hammond ended the match with 28 assists, seven digs, two kills, one service ace and one block.
• Seniors Ella Ratzloff (14) and Abby Fillion (11) as well as junior Claire Wagner (12) each recorded double-digit digs.
• Wagner also had four kills, four assists and one service ace.
• Sophomore Brynne Wright added seven kills and three digs while senior Tori Britton had six kills and four digs.

Up Next
The Rams return to action on Saturday when they take on Morgan State at 11 a.m. and New Hampshire at 3 p.m.