Rhode Island Starters
Wright, Paulette, Shilling, Pinell, Vente, Butler, Blaney
 
NIU Starters
Jablonski, Scuric, Atiemo, Dykes, Mihacevich, Lockwood, Bertucci
 
Set One – Rhode Island 25, NIU 23
NIU held the statistical edge in kills (14-11), attack percentage (.148-.080), service aces (2-1) and total team blocks (3-1), but it was Rhode Island winning the opening set by a score of 25-23. The set was close throughout with neither team leading by more than three points until a bad set by NIU - followed by back-to-back attack errors by the Huskies - allowed Rhody to pull ahead 17-12. NIU then called a timeout and used an 8-3 push to reclaim the lead at 21-20, but the Rams closed thing out on a 5-2 run to take the opening set by a score of 25-23.

Set Two – NIU 25, Rhode Island 21
The second set saw 12 ties and six lead changes, and was close throughout. A kill by Gabrielle Shilling tied the score at 18-18 late in the set but URI managed just two more kills the rest of the way – one by Emma Vente and one by Karlee Pinell – as NIU held on for the 25-21 win.
 
Set Three – NIU 25, Rhode Island 11
It was all Huskies in the third set as the Rams did not lead at any point. A kill by Brynne Wright midway through cut NIU's lead to 12-9, but the Huskies reeled off nine straight points to take a commanding 21-9 lead. The Huskies coasted from there, allowing Rhody just two more points before finishing on top 25-11.
 
Set Four – NIU 25, Rhode Island 20
NIU kept its foot on the gas in the fourth set. URI tied the score at 1-1, 2-2, 5-5 and 11-11 but was never able to get ahead. An NIU service error allowed the Rams to pull within one at 20-19, but the Huskies outscored URI 5-1 down the stretch to win it 25-20.
 
Inside the Box Score

• Junior Brynne Wright recorded her second double-double of the day, finishing with 10 kills and 19 digs.
• Grad student Gabrielle Shilling finshied with eight kills, two blocks and one assist.
• Redshirt freshman Emma Vente added six kills, seven digs and a pair of blocks.
• Sophomore Hannah Blaney had 19 digs and one service ace. She also landed a spot on the NIU Invite.
• Freshman Ryleigh Powers recorded 10 digs.
• Sophomore Katie Butler finished the match with 16 assists, nine digs and three kills.
• In just her second match of the season, redshirt freshman Hope Passerello had four assists and six digs through two sets played.

Up Next
The Rams return to action at #4 Wisconsin Sunday.