Moon Township, Pa. - Oct. 17, 2009 - The Robert Morris University Colonials were never able to get in a rhythm on Saturday afternoon and fell to the Sacred Heart Pioneers in three straight sets. The loss drops the Colonials to 7-16 overall and 4-2 in league play, while the Pioneers improve to 13-17 overall and 3-1 in the NEC.
Robert Morris started out with the first two points in set one with a kill by junior Amanda Graham (Melbourne, Fla. / Eau Gallie) and an attacking error by the Pioneers. Sacred Heart quickly evened up the score with an error by the Colonials and a kill by Joahanna Ovsenek. The Pioneers continued that run with two more points and slowly pulled away from the Colonials. With the score at 10-6 in Sacred Heart's favor, junior Charla Drabant (Wheaton, Ill. / Wheaton North (DePaul) went on a three point run to bring the score within one at 10-9. However, a strong serving run by Ashlyn Trimble gave SHU back its strong lead at 15-10. The Colonials fought to get back into the set, but were never able to and fell 25-16.
The Pioneers carried over their momentum from the set one win and dominated the start of play with a 9-2 lead. Sophomore setter Alyssa Bennett (Ramona, Calif. / Ramona) captured two kills to get RMU back into the set at 9-4. The two squads swapped side-outs and then Robert Morris tallied three consecutive kills to bring the score within one at 12-11. Sacred Heart continued to lead, but Robert Morris remained on its trail for the remainder of play and was able to knot the score 23-23 when Graham captured a kill and then followed it with two blocks. Sacred Heart was finally able to side-out to take back the lead 24-23 and won the set following a Colonial error to give them the two set advantage.
The third set looked very similar to the second with the Pioneers leading for the majority of play, but the Colonials staying within reach. Robert Morris started out the third set with the first two points, but the score was quickly knotted at 3-3. The Pioneers slowly took command of the game and went on to win 25-20. The Colonials out-blocked the Pioneers eight to two in the third set, but SHU gained the advantage with a .286 hitting percentage.
The Colonials were led by Graham who registered nine kills and eight blocks in the defeat. Freshman Amanda Craig (Houston, Texas / St. Agnes Academy) recorded six kills on a .312 hitting percentage and added two service aces.
The Colonials will look to bounce back tomorrow when the face conference rival Fairleigh Dickinson at 1:00 p.m. tomorrow at the Sewall Center.
