How It Happened
Rhode Island had a strong, balanced offense, but it was not enough as the Rams fell at Saint Louis Sunday. The Rams (4-22, 1-13 Atlantic 10) fell 3-1 (25-21, 28-26, 20-25, 25-20).

Set One – Saint Louis 25, Rhode Island 21
Jillian Mattingly and Emily Henken combined for 9 kills as Miami hit .235 as a team. Rhode Island had six kills as a team. The Rams fell behind 13-8 early and was unable to get any closer than three points the rest of the way.

Set Two – Saint Louis 28, Rhode Island 26
Rhode Island appeared on the verge of tying the match, as it led 24-22 and had a pair of match points following an Andrea Owens kills. A pair of Emily Henken kills and an ace by Addie Lyon helped the Billikens set up a set point of its own. Rhody responded with kills from Aerin Bowman and Emma Vente to get its third set point. However, Saint Louis scored three straight points, taking a 2-0 lead when Kayla Richardson ended the set with a kill.

Set Three – Rhode Island 25, Saint Louis 20
Rhode Island led for most of the set and built a five-point advantage late with a 3-0 spurt. An Andrea Owens kill, Hope Passerello ace and an attack error by Saint Louis put the Rams up, 23-18. Owens and Emma Vente provided kills to close out the set and keep URI's hopes alive.

Set Four – Saint Louis 25, Rhode Island 25, Saint Louis 20
Rhode Island raced out to an 8-1 start that was sparked by back-to-back blocks from the tandem of Aerin Bowman and Samantha Blahut. However, Saint Louis responded with a 9-1 run of its own. Rhody was never able to get the lead again. After the Rams tied the set 13-13 on a Bowman kill, the Billikens used a 6-1 run to pull in front 19-14. URI got back within 20-18 following kills from Blahut and Andrea Owens around an ace from Emma Vente. Saint Louis ended thoughts of a comeback, ending the match with a 5-2 run.

Inside the Box Score

• The trio of Aerin Bowman, Andrea Owens and Emma Vente each had 10 kills.
• Vente added eight digs while Owens had six.
• Samantha Blahut had six blocks. The last one of the match was her 79th block assist of the season, the 10th highest in a season for a URI player during the rally point era.
• Setters Hope Passerello and Catalina Hendricks combined for 30 assists.
• Passerello also had eight digs.
• Rhode Island hit .235 as a team.

What's Next
Rhode Island hosts Dayton in a pair of matches next weekend. The teams play Friday, Nov. 3 at 6 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 4 at 1 p.m. Both matches will stream on ESPN+. The Friday night match will be Senior Night for Rhode Island.