Rhode Island Starters
Melton, McCarles, Abuto, Vente, Bowman, Jonick, Houchens (L), Henry (L)

Providence Starters
McDonald, Kocon, Berry, Taylor, Adkins, Easterbrook, Pride (L)

How It Happened
Providence (2-2) made quick work of Rhode Island (2-2), sweeping the Rams 25-11, 25-19, 25-19 in the opening match of the Ocean State Cup. The host Friars hit .348 as a team, recording 46 kills in just three sets. By comparison, Rhode Island had just 24 kills for the match.

Set One – Providence 25, Rhode Island 11
The Friars jumped out to a 16-4 edge and never let Rhode Island get back into it. Setters Miller McDonald and Audrey Kocon combined for 12 assists as Providence had its offense clicking. Kocon also had a team-high four kills in the set.

Set Two – Providence 25, Rhode Island 19
Providence again took an early lead and never looked back. With the score tied 2-2, PC used an 8-4 run to pull ahead 10-6. The Friars never gave up the lead. Taylor Macy had seven kills in the set as Providence took a commanding 2-0 lead.

Set Three – Providence 25, Rhode Island 19
Rhode Island showed life early in the set, taking a 10-7 lead following a McKenna Melton kill. A 6-1 run for the Friars gave them a 13-11 lead, and URI was never able to get back to even. Sophia Adkins had eight kills in the set, including the match ending point.

Inside the Box Score

• Junior Ema Stermenska had 17 assists and five digs for Rhode Island.
• Sophomore Dakota Henry led the team with nine digs.
• Senior Ryleigh Powers had three digs. No other Rams had more than one.
• Redshirt senior Emma Vente led the team with six kills.
• She added two solo blocks.

Up Next
Rhode Island plays twice on Saturday, Sept. 6. takes on Bryant (10 a.m.) and Brown (6 p.m.) to close out play at the Ocean State Cup.