University of Rhode Island

Rhode Island Starters
Melton, Stermenska, Richter, Sawyer, Jonick, Keaney, Henry (L)

VCU Starters
Galli, LaPata, Del Core, Boledovicova, Martic, Sendir, Baksh (L)

How it Happened
Rhode Island (5-14, 0-7 A10) battled throughout, but VCU (7-8, 5-2 A10) took all three sets 25-21, 25-17, 25-22 leading to the weekend sweep on Saturday afternoon at the Siegel Center. 

Rhode Island was led by Emily Sawyer's 10 kills while hitting .381. Cara Richter added nine kills and four digs in the match.

Set One - VCU 25, Rhode Island 21
The teams went back and forth throughout the opening half of the set, with neither side able to create much separation. Rhode Island erased a three-point deficit to tie the score at 12-12 on a Richter service ace and later pulled even again at 16-16 on an ace from McKenna Melton. 

VCU responded with six straight points, including four service aces, to take a 22-16 advantage. Rhode Island fought back to within three at 22-19, but VCU held on to take the opening set.

Set Two - VCU 25, Rhode Island 17
VCU used an early run to take control of the second set. After a Hannah Jonick kill brought Rhody within 5-5, VCU scored five straight points and eventually stretched their advantage to 20-10. 

Rhode Island responded with four straight points, capped by a Jahan Lalli service ace, to cut the deficit to six. URI was unable to get any closer as VCU closed out the frame for a 2-0 match lead. 

Set Three – VCU 25, Rhode Island 22
Rhode Island had its best opportunity to extend the match in the third set. Trailing 7-5, Rhody used a 7-1 run to build a 12-8 lead, with Sawyer, Richter and Erika Bracey all contributing kills during the surge. 

VCU battled back, but Rhody maintained a lead as late as 20-19 following a Richter kill. The hosts responded with four of the next five points to move ahead 23-21. Sawyer pulled URI within one with her fifth kill of the set, but VCU scored the final two points to complete the sweep. 

Inside the Box Score

• Emily Sawyer led the Rhode Island attack with a match-high 10 kills while hitting .381. She committed just two errors on 21 attacks. 
• Cara Richter added nine kills, one service ace, and four digs while hitting .267
• Hannah Jonick had four kills on seven attacks with just one error for a team-best .429 hitting percentage. She also contributed five total blocks, including one solo block. 
• McKenna Melton finished with eight digs, three kills, one service ace and two block assists.
• Jahan Lalli and Ema Stermenska combined for 24 assists. Lalli had 13 to Stermenska's 11. 
• Dakota Henry had a team-high 10 digs and added three assists. 

Up Next
Rhode Island returns home to Keaney Gym when the Rams host Duquesne on Friday, Oct. 16. The match is scheduled to start at 5 p.m.