Box Score West Hartford, Conn. - Freshman Alex Deines (Centennial, Colo. / Littleton) and sophomore Andrea Catucci (Davidsonville, Md. / Archbishop Spalding) both collected double-doubles in helping the Robert Morris University volleyball team weather a big comeback and overcome Central Connecticut State, 3-2, in Northeast Conference (NEC) action Saturday evening.
It was the Colonials' fourth-consecutive NEC victory and moved RMU to 8-2 in the league standings. It also marked the third time in the last four matches between the Colonials and the Blue Devils that the match went the distance with RMU claiming victory in two of those three instances.
Deines, the reigning league rookie of the week, contributed a season-high 30 assists and tied the match high with 13 digs while Catucci added 18 and 10, respectively. It was Catucci's team-leading fifth double-double of the season while Deines remains one behind her teammate with four for the year. Deines also extends her streak to six consecutive matches with at least 20 assists.
Robert Morris put three players in double figures in kills for the second consecutive conference match as senior captain Amanda Graham (Melbourne, Fla. / Eau Gallie), junior Hannah Veith (Columbus, Ohio / Worthington) and sophomore Amanda Craig (Houston, Texas / St. Agnes Academy) all reached double digits. Graham paced the attack with 16 kills, tying the match high, and a .371 hitting percentage. Veith registered 13 with Craig collecting 11 as both hit .364 in the victory. Graham, the reigning conference co-player of the week, reached double figures in kills for the fourth time in the last five matches.
Senior captain Charla Drabant (Wheaton, Ill. / Wheaton North) recorded seven kills and 12 digs for RMU, reaching double digits in the dig department for the 15th time this season.
The Colonials will play look to continue their winning ways in conference play when they play Bryant Sunday afternoon. The Bulldogs, who knocked off Saint Francis (Pa.) Saturday, are 8-4 at home this season.
