How It Happened
Rhode Island battled back from a two-set deficit and played some of its best volleyball of the season. In the end, VCU was able to fend off the URI effort, escaping Kingston with a 3-2 victory (25-18, 25-16, 24-26, 16-25, 15-11).

Set One – VCU 25, Rhode Island 18
Rhode Island rallied from an early 5-1 deficit and eventually pulled even at 11-11. The teams traded points until the score was tied again at 15-15. However, VCU gained momentum late with a five-point run that featured a MaKenzie Chambers kill and three attack errors. From there the visitors coasted until an ace by Kialah Jefferson ended the set.

Set Two – VCU 25, Rhode Island 16
The set began with back-and-forth action, as there were seven ties and five lead changes within the opening 20 points. With the score tied 10-10, VCU used a 9-2 run to open a seven-point lead. Kialah Jefferson had five kills during the run, allowing the guests to take command. Jefferson's seventh kill of the set ended the frame and gave VCU a 2-0 lead.

Set Three – Rhode Island 26, VCU 24
Facing two match points, Rhody ran off four straight points to take the set and extend the match. An Aerin Bowman kill started the spurt, and back-to-back VCU attack errors set up set point for URI. Madi Disu ended it with a kill, sending the teams to a fourth set.

Set Four – Rhode Island 25, VCU 16
Rhode Island's service game caused issues for the VCU passing game. It resulted in a disjointed VCU attack, as VCU committed six attack errors. Rhody, meanwhile, had 11 kills with just two errors. URI's efficiency was sparked by the duo of Samantha Blahut and Aerin Bowman, who combined for six kills and no errors in the set.

Set Five – VCU 15, Rhode Island 11
Despite URI having all the momentum, VCU opened a five-point lead quickly in the fifth set, moving ahead 9-4 following a Jasmine Knight kill. Rhody got it back to 10-7, but that was close at the score got in the tiebreaking set.

Inside the Box Score

• Sophomore Aerin Bowman had a season-high 11 kills with just three errors.
• Freshman Madi Disu had a team-high 13 kills with seven digs.
• Sophomore setter Hope Passerello recorded a double-double with 27 assists and 14 digs.
• Junior Andrea Owens had seven kills and nine digs.
• Junior Hannah Blaney had 21 digs and five assists.

What's Next
Rhode Island plays a pair of matches at Duquesne next weekend. The teams play Friday, Oct. 20 and Saturday, Oct. 21. Both matches are slated to be streamed on ESPN+.