Rhode Island Starters
Ma. Disu, Me. Disu, Pinell, Abuto, Rolle, Butler, Henry (L)

Merrimack Starters
Kobelski, DeBonis, Shotwell, Webber, Carlat, Thurlow, Mattiucci (L), Maldonado (L)

How It Happened
Freshman Havyn Rolle had a career-high 16 kills and Rhode Island (2-5) served up 11 aces as it defeated Merrimack (0-7) in four sets Tuesday night, 25-23, 25-12, 14-25, 25-19.

Set One – Rhode Island 25, Merrimack 23
Visiting Merrimack scored the first four points of the match and had the Rams on their heels. The Warriors were up 9-3 after a URI attack error. From there, Rhody began chipping away. Freshman Dakota Henry served eight consecutive points for the Rams during a run that featured three Madi Disu kills, one Megan Disu kill and a combined block by the twin sisters. By the end of the run, Rhody was up 16-14. From there, the score was tied 19-19, 20-20 and 22-22 before a block by Megan Disu and Chloe Abuto followed by a Merrimack ball-handling error gave URI two match points. Eventually, a Karlee Pinell kill capped the comeback and gave Rhody the lead.
 
Set Two – Rhode Island 25, Merrimack 12
The first-set momentum carried over as Rhode Island dominated from the start. Merrimack scored two of the first three points of the set, but it was all Rhody from there. URI hit .233 as a team as Madi Disu (6 kills) and Havyn Rolle (4 kills) powered through the Merrimack defense. Katie Butler had 10 assists in the set to help URI move in front, 2-0.

Set Three – Merrimack 25, Rhode Island 14
The third set was Merrimack's high point, as the Warriors had 12 kills with just three errors and hit .375. Combined with five service aces, the visitors cruised as Rhody struggled to get much going.

Set Four – Rhode Island 25, Merrimack 19
Defensive specialist Edie Lamoreaux had a pair of aces during a stretch of five consecutive points served to help the Rams jump out to a 7-3 lead. Rhody appeared to be squashing any hopes for a comeback, but Merrimack put up a fight and managed to tie the set 12-12 after a Rhody attack error. A 4-0 run for URI that feature two Havyn Rolle kills sandwiched around a Dakota Henry ace gave the Rams a lead it never relinquished. Karlee Pinell eventually put the match away with her third kill of the set.

Inside the Box Score

• Freshman middle blocker Havyn Rolle had a career-best 16 kills with just four error, her second time in double figures in the last four matches. She also had two service aces.
• Setter Katie Butler had 32 assists, six digs and four kills without an error.
• Middle blocker Chloe Abuto had six kills with just one error while also providing five blocks.
• Defensive specialist Edie Lamoreaux had three of the team's 11 service aces.
• Over its last four matches, Rhode Island has 37 aces with 21 service errors.
• In the second set, the Rams converted 84 percent (11-for-13) of its sideout opportunities.
• Rhode Island is 3-0 all time against Merrimack.

Up Next
Rhode Island hosts the Art Carmichael Invitational from Thursday, Sept. 12 through Saturday, Sept. 14. Rhode Island hosts Harvard on Thursday at 6 p.m. The match will stream on ESPN+.