Robert Morris (1-1) fell in a tough-fought match in the nightcap, dropping a five-set match to Montana State (2-0), 25-18, 23-25, 14-25, 25-22, 15-12.

The opening match saw four Colonials knock down at least six kills, led by senior captain Amanda Graham's (Melbourne, Fla. / Eau Gallie) eight. Graham did not make an error and recorded a remarkable .571 hitting percentage while also adding four blocks. Junior middle blocker Hannah Veith (Columbus, Ohio / Worthington) collected seven kills and a match-high six blocks while senior libero Corinne Moser (Meyersdale, Pa. / Meyersdale) notched a team-high 15 digs, tying the match high.

The first game was very tight in the early going with neither team able to gain more than a two-point advantage. The Highlanders (0-2) led 12-10 before RMU put together a 9-1 run, highlighted by two kills and two blocks from Veith. Radford would not get within four points again, and the Colonials wrapped up the first game with a kill by sophomore opposite Amanda Craig (Houston, Texas / St. Agnes Academy).

Radford followed suit from the opener and claimed an early five-point cushion, 13-8, in the second game. RMU again used a large run to pull ahead, running off a 9-2 stretch to take a 17-15 lead. The Highlanders would not go down without a fight, though, and regrouped to retake a 22-20 lead. Robert Morris closed the game with a 5-1 streak, in which Graham, Veith and senior opposite Addie Jennings (Santa Barbara, Calif. / Dos Pueblos) all provided kills, to take the commanding two-game lead.

After a Veith kill knotted the third game at 5-5, the Colonials never trailed again. They won 21 of the final 30 points and coasted to the finish line. Moser served out the final seven points for the victory.

Emily Carlin led Radford with a team-high eight kills and also added 13 digs.

Robert Morris had five players reach double-figures in kills in its second match and had four hit at least .300, but it was not enough to overcome a resilient Bobcat squad. Despite outhitting Montana State .255 to .157, RMU fell just short after taking a two sets to one lead and holding a 19-16 lead in the fourth set. The fifth set was tight throughout as the squads found themselves knotted at 11-11 before the Bobcats won four of the final five points.

Rachelle Allen led Montana State with a match-high 15 kills and also contributed 12 digs.

Freshman setter Alex Deines (Centennial, Colo. / Littleton) collected team highs of 29 assists and 12 digs for the Colonials.

RMU returns to the court Saturday, August 27 for the second day of the Duquesne / Robert Morris Invitational. The Colonials face Lehigh at 11 a.m. and will take on Morgan State at 7 p.m. to close the tournament.