Rhode Island Starters (3-17, 0-8 Atlantic 10)
Disu, Shilling, Passerello, Pinell, Blahut, Bowman, Blaney (L)

VCU Starters (10-8, 7-1 Atlantic 10)
Tomei, Knight, Loftis, Houchens, Hartzell, Jefferson, Kujundzic  (L)

How It Happened
The balanced efficiency of VCU was too much for Rhode Island to keep up with as the visitors completed a 3-0 sweep (25-20, 25-23, 25-17) Saturday night

Set One - VCU 25, Rhode Island 20
Both sides were remarkably efficient on offense in the opening set. VCU had 20 kills with just three attack errors, while URI had 14 kills and two errors. The visitors used a 4-1 spurt in the middle of the set to create a little separation at 16-12 following a Jasmine Knight kill, and it was enough of an advantage to ride out the set. A Gabriell Shilling kill got Rhody within 21-19, but that was the closest URI got before Knight's six kill of the set put VCU up 1-0.

Set Two – VCU 25, Rhode Island 23
Rhode Island started the second set strong, establishing a 13-9 lead after a Madi Disu kill. VCU slowly chipped away, eventually tying the match 18-18 following a URI attack error. The teams traded points down the stretch until it was 23-23, but back-to-back block assists from the tandem of MaKenzie Chambers and Jasmine Knight put VCU in a commanding 2-0 lead.

Set Three – VCU 25, Rhode Island 17
The end of the second set seemed to initially take the wind out of the sails for Rhode Island, has VCU jumped out to a 6-1 lead. URI battled back to get it the 9-7, but VCU took control from there. The guests used a 12-1 run to go up 21-8 and coast to the eventual win.

Inside the Box Score

• The VCU quartet of Parker Hartzell (12 kills), Kialah Jefferson (11), Jasmine Knight (9) and Sydney Houchens (9) combined for 41 kills and just four attack errors as VCU hit .339 as a team.
• Freshman Madi Disu led Rhode Island with 10 kills to go with eight digs.
• Sophomore Aerin Bowman added seven kills, while freshman Megan Disu had six.
• Junior Hannah Blaney had 15 digs and two service aces.

Up Next
Rhode Island and VCU are back at it Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m.