Rhode Island Starters (2-9)
Ma. Disu, Passerello, Abuto, Vente, Blahut, Bowman, Blaney (L)
 
American Starters (5-4)
Uzen, Evans, Mrus, Osterdahl, Sipahi, Fiske, Javitch (L)
 
How it Happened
Rhode Island delivered its second win of the season, rallying to take a five-set thriller over American Saturday afternoon. The Rams had their best offensive match of the season, piling up 55 kills while also blocking 18 attacks at the net.
 
Set One – Rhode Island 25, American 19
Back and forth play saw the teams knotted at 18-18 following an Emma Vente kill for the Rams. After a Samantha Blahut ace put URI in front, the defense produced three of the next four points for Rhody. Chloe Abuto kept showing up, as she had three block assists. She combined with Vente, Hope Passerello and Aerin Bowman in short order, helping Rhode Island move ahead, 22-19. Another Vente kill followed by an attack error and a ball-handling error by American clinched the set.
 
Set Two – American 25, Rhode Island 21
The visiting Eagles stormed back in the second set, jumping out to an 11-6 lead behind three kills and an ace from Sofia Osterdahl. Rhody responded with a 10-3 run to take a 16-14 lead after Samantha Blahut and Hope Passerello combined on a block. American responded with a 5-2 spurt to reclaim the lead, and the teams traded points until the score was 21-21. The Eagles scored four straight points – two on kills by Zeynep Uzen – to knot the match, 1-1.
 
Set Three – American 25, Rhode Island 21
With Rhode Island up 8-7, American used a 5-0 run to take a 12-8 lead. Though the Rams got back within one at 19-18, American never let go of its advantage. A pair of Zeynep Uzen kills sandwiched around a block by Carly Sciborski and Kaitlyn Evans helped the Eagles close out the third set and take a 2-1 lead.
 
Set Four – Rhode Island 31, American 29
After Rhode Island scored the first three points of the set, American appeared to be taking over, taking six consecutive points. However, the Rams came back with a 4-1 run that featured kills from Madi Disu and Hope Passerello to pull URI even at 7-7. Neither side led by more than two points again until a solo block by Samantha Blahut put URI in front, 17-14. This time, American responded with a 5-1 run to reclaim the lead, 19-18. This began another elongated stretch of back-and-forth play, as the teams were never separated by more than two points again. Each side had multiple set-point opportunities, as American had four match-point chances and URI had two set-point scenarios before an Emma Vente kill tied the score, 29-29. A Kill from Disu and an ace by Passerello finally ended Rhody's longest set of the season, tying the match and setting up a decisive fifth set.
 
Set Five – Rhode Island 15, American 7
In the final set, Madi Disu took over. The freshman powered her way to six kills as Rhode Island surged to the victory. After American scored the first point of the set, URI scored the next three points and never looked back. Back-to-back blocks from the pair of Chloe Abuto and Aerin Bowman closed out the victory.  
 
Inside the Box Score

• Freshman Chloe Abuto finished the match with 10 block assists, which is the third most in a match in the rally point era. Only Jill Anderson (11 against Fairfield in 2010) and Layne Self (11 against Manhattan in 2016) have more since the rally point era began in 2001.
• Redshirt junior Samantha Blahut added a career-high nine blocks, including one solo effort.
• Freshman Madi Disu had a career-high 24 kills to go with six digs, two aces and three block assists. The 24 kills are tied for the fourth-most in a match in the program's rally point era.
• Sophomore setter Hope Passerello set a new career high with 43 assists. Passerello added 10 digs for her first double-double of the season.
• Redshirt sophomore Emma Vente had a career-best 12 kills.
• Junior Hannah Blaney had 12 digs and seven assists.
• Redshirt sophomore Aerin Bowman had eight kills and six block assists.
• The Rams had a season-high 14 service aces, with six different players recording at least two. Hope Passerello led the way with three.

What's Next
Rhode Island hosts Stonehill Saturday night at 6 p.m. The match will stream on ESPN+.