Moon Township, Pa. - Oct. 3, 2009 - The Robert Morris University Colonials improved their league record to 2-0 with a 3-0 sweeping victory over the Quinnipiac Bobcats Saturday at the Charles L. Sewall Center. The Colonials recorded a .292 hitting percentage to the Bobcats .092 in pursuit of their second consecutive victory.
The Colonials and the Bobcats traded points to start the first set, but Quinnipiac soon suffered five consecutive attacking errors to give Robert Morris a 7-2 cushion. After securing a couple kills and a service ace the Bobcats were able to cut the Colonial lead to 8-5, however, they were never able to surpass the Colonials, who went on to win 25-15. The set win was a complete team effort as five Colonials tallied multiple kills and were led by junior Amanda Graham (Melbourne, Fla. / Eau Gallie), who tallied a set-high four kills, to secure RMU's victory.
Robert Morris came out even stronger in the second set and topped the Bobcats 25-14. The Bobcats were able to keep up with the Colonials until the score was brought to 3-3. The Bobcats committed a serving error, which triggered a three point run by the Colonials. Quinnipiac was able to side out to set the score at 6-4, but a kill by sophomore Hannah Veith (Columbus, Ohio / Worthington) gave RMU back control of the game and started a five point run. The Colonials continued to extend their lead and tallied their largest lead of the set at 20-11. Back-to-back errors by the Bobcats ended play to give Robert Morris the two set advantage.
The Bobcats entered set three with a lot of fight and led throughout the first half of play. At 12-13 in the Bobcats favor senior Jessy Nelko (Aliquippa, Pa. / Hopewell) captured a service ace, which was followed by a Bobcat error to give Robert Morris its first lead of the set at 14-13. Robert Morris continued to dominate play until a service ace by Quinnipiac tied things up at 22-22. Freshman Amanda Craig (Houston , Tex. / St. Agnes Academy) recorded a key put down to give RMU the 23-22 advantage, but the Bobcats returned the favor with a kill by Kelby Carey. Junior Charla Drabant (Wheaton, Ill. / Wheaton North) and freshman Lindsey Monger (Rising Sun, Md. / Rising Sun) recorded one kill a piece to win the set 25-23 and earn the match victory.
Craig led the Colonials with nine kills on a .286 hitting percentage, while junior Corinne Moser (Meyersdale, Pa. / Meyersdale)led the squad with 17 digs. Both middles, Graham and Veith recorded zero errors throughout the match, recording seven and six kills, respectively. Veith registered a .500 hitting percentage, while Graham hit .467. Sophomore setter Alyssa Bennett (Ramona, Calif. / Ramona) tallied 30 assists, 10 digs, four blocks and six kills in the match, while Monger recorded seven put downs.
The Colonials return to action on Tuesday, October 6 when they host cross-town rival Duquesne at 7:00 p.m.
