Rhode Island Starters
Wright, Paulette, Shilling, Passerello, Pinell, Nelson, Blaney

George Washington Starters
Yohannes, Feek, Womble, Porter, Myers, Allread, Bowman
 
Set One – George Washington 25, Rhode Island 21
Rhode Island never led in the first set as GW took the first three points and remained on top the rest of the way. The Colonials took their largest lead of the set at 16-10, before a Mariah Paulette kill capped a 3-0 push that got Rhody back within three (16-13). That was as close as it got however as George Washington maintained a comfortable cushion the rest of the way.

Set Two – Rhode Island 25, George Washington 18
The Rams returned the favor in the second set as they jumped out to a 7-1 lead and remained in control throughout. After a 4-0 Colonials push cut Rhody's lead to 8-6, the Rams' defense buckled down and did not allow GW to score more than two consecutive points from that point on. Overall, George Washington finished the set with a .000 hitting percentage, recording nine kills and nine errors on 32 total attacks. Gabrielle Shilling had three blocks in the set, including one solo.

Set Three – George Washington 25, Rhode Island 16
George Washington used several early scoring runs (5-0, 4-0, 5-0) to build a 16-7 lead over the Rams. The teams went one-for-one for the next eight points before an attack error by the Rams gave GW a double-digit advantage (21-11). A late 5-2 push – which featured an ace by Shilling as well as kills from Karlee Pinell (2) and Lauren Nelson – trimmed the Colonials' lead seven (23-16) but GW responded with a kill and an ace to seal the set.
 
Set Four – George Washington 25, Rhode Island 16
Rhode Island had a negative hitting percentage in the fourth and final set, recording 11 attack errors opposite just nine kills. Five team blocks for the Colonials helped to stifle the Rams' attack. George Washington had a slight advantage at 12-10 before reeling off seven consecutive points to push it to 19-10. It was back and forth down the stretch, but the deficit was too much to overcome as Rhode Island fell 25-16.
 
Inside the Box Score

• Lauren Nelson recorded a team-high 12 kills for the Rams.
• Karlee Pinell finished the night with 10 kills, three digs, one block and one assist.
• Brynne Wright added nine kills, seven digs, three blocks and one service ace.
• Gabrielle Shilling had five blocks, two of which were solos. She also added six kills, two aces and one assist.
• Hope Passerello recorded 33 assists, six digs and one ace on the night.
• Hannah Blaney finished with 18 digs, three assists and one ace
• Claire Wagner returned to the court for the Rams, after missing the last nine games with an injury. She finished the night with two digs and one kill.

Up Next
The Rams and Colonials return to Keaney Gym to close out the weekend with a 6 p.m. match on Saturday. Prior to the start of Saturday's game, URI will hold a brief ceremony to honor the six players competing in their final home game – Claire Wagner, Abby Fillion, Gillian Klise, Mariah Paulette, Adel Gage and Gabrielle Shilling.