Rhode Island Starters
Lalli, Johnson, Abuto, Rolle, Richter, Sawyer, Henry (L)
Providence Starters
Easterwood, McDonald, Otter, Otter, Berry, Taylor, Adkins, Dyer (L)
How it Happened
Providence won in straight sets to capture the 2026 Ocean State Cup team title. The Friars (5-1) won all three of its matches for the weekend. Rhode Island (3-3) dropped its third straight match, falling to PC, 25-19, 25-14, 25-19 Sunday afternoon.
Set One - Providence 25, Rhode Island 19
The Friar attack overpowered the URI defense, getting 18 kills in the opening set. The trio of Shea Dupois, Aubrey Easterwood and Tori Otter combined for 13 of the kills as Providence hit .302 for the set. Once PC got a two-point lead at 6-4, the deficit never dipped below two points again.
Set Two - Providence 25, Rhode Island 14
The teams were tied 9-9 through the first third of the set, with both sides showing solid play. However, a 15-3 run for the Friars allowed the guests to take command. PC again hit well, posting a .370 hitting percetage for the set, as Lyric Berry and Aubrey Easterwood combined for seven kills and no errors.
Set Three - Providence 25, Rhode Island 19
Rhode Island fought in the third set and held a 12-11 lead after a
Grace Keaney kill from
Carly Thomas. However a 5-1 run by Providence that featured back-to-back aces by Sarah Musial put the Friars up 15-12. Rhody was never able to knot the score again.
2026 Ocean State Cup Standings
Providence - 3-0
Bryant 2-1
Brown - 1-2
Rhode Island - 0-3
Inside the Box Score
- The Ocean State Cup All-Tournament Team consisted of Aubrey Easterwood, Miller McDonald and Tori Otter from Providence; Bryant's Carrina Barron and Nina Gavin; Sophia Wolfson from Brown; and KJ Johnson from Rhode Island.
- Johnson hit a team-best .350 (19 kills, five errors, 40 attacks) for the weekend while also finishing second on the Rams with nine blocks.
- Cara Richter led Rhode Island with seven kills, while Grace Keaney added six kills and three blocks.
- Dakota Henry had 13 digs and has reached double digits in every match.
- Chloe Abuto had two blocks to move into a tie for 10th place in program history in career blocks with 299. She is tied with Gabrielle Shilling (2018-23)
- In the first match of the day, Bryant defeated Brown, 3-1.
Up Next
Rhode Island plays at the Leopard Invitational, hosted by Lafayette from Sept. 12-13. The Rams play the host Leopards on Saturday, Sept. 12 at 8 p.m. on ESPN+. Rhody will also face Penn and Quinnipiac on Saturday, Sept. 13.
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