Rhode Island Starters
Lalli, Houchens, Johnson, Bracey, Abuto, Richter, Henry (L)
Quinnipiac Starters
Gisslen, Ragusa, Minlend, Belli, Yilsiz, Ozbiltekin, Negron Diaz (L)
How it Happened
Rhode Island (4-5) smothered the Quinnipiac attack, setting a program record for the Rally Point era with 24 blocks, as it defeated the Bobcats 3-1 (22-25, 25-17, 25-23, 25-17) Sunday evening.
The Rams held Quinnipiac to .091 hitting and forced 37 attack errors while snapping a five-match losing stream. The victory helped Rhody finish the Leopard Invitational on a high note.
Set One - Quinnipiac 25, Rhode Island 22
Leading 15-14, Rhode Island allowed Quinnipiac to score eight straight points to take a commanding 22-15 lead. Three straight aces by Giulia Ragusa sparked the run as the Rams could not handle service return. Cara Righter had a pair of kills during a 6-0 run to pull URI within one at 22-21, but Rhody could not complete the comeback as the Bobcats closed out the set with kills from Sopia Minlend and Asia Belli.
Set Two - Rhode Island 25, Quinnipiac 17
Rhode Island found its swagger in the second set. Six kills from
Cara Richter helped the Rams build a lead that got to as many as eight points (20-12). Rhody hit .385 as a team, had four service aces and five blocks as it pounded its way through the set.
Set Three - Rhode Island 25, Quinnipiac 23
Rhode Island's defense paved the way in the pivotal third set, holding Quinnipiac to a .022 hitting percentage. URI had six blocks and forced 13 attack errors by the Bobcats. Trailing 22-19, the Rams used a 6-1 surge that included two kills and one block assist by
Erika Bracey to close out the set.
Set Four - Rhode Island 25, Quinnipiac 17
The Rams continued its stellar play at the net, getting six more blocks in the set.
KJ Johnson had four block assists, while
Chloe Abuto,
Erika Bracey,
Cara Richter and
Emily Sawyer each added two. The defense allowed Rhode Island to covert 77 percent (14-of-18) of its sideout opportunities and prevent Quinnipiac from building any momentum.
Inside the Box Score
- KJ Johnson and Chloe Abuto both finished with 12 block assists, tying the program record for most in a single match. The record was set by teammate Havyn Rolle against NIU on Sept. 13, 2024.
- Johnson also had seven kills with just one error.
- For Abuto, it was her fourth career match with 10 or more block assists. All other players for URI have achieved the feat six times combined since the start of the Rally Point era in 2001.
- Erika Bracey had eight kills and eight block assists.
- Cara Richter led the offense with 14 kills to go with seven digs and three aces.
- Richter and Emily Sawyer each had six block assists.
- Ema Stermenska provided 17 assists, seven digs and four service aces.
- She reached 100 career aces with her second of the match. Stermenska had 74 aces for Southern Illinois and has 28 so far at URI.
- Rhode Island had 10 aces, its third straight match with double digits.
- Jahan Lalli had 22 assists and four digs.
- Dakota Hery had a team-high 14 digs.
Up Next
Rhode Island plays three matches at UConn's For the White and Blue Tournament. The Rams open the weekend against Merrimack on Friday, Sept. 18 at 2 p.m.
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