Box Score Brooklyn, N.Y. - Sophomores Lindsey Monger (Rising Sun, Md. / Rising Sun) and Andrea Catucci (Davidsonville, Md. / Archbishop Spalding) each recorded their second career double-double as the Robert Morris University volleyball team opened Northeast Conference (NEC) play with a big victory, sweeping defending NEC champion Long Island, 25-22, 25-17, 26-24, Saturday afternoon at Long Island's Wellness Center.
The defeat ended Long Island's 23-match conference winning streak for the program that has qualified for six straight NCAA Tournaments. Incidentally, Robert Morris was also the last team to take down the Blackbirds in conference play, taking home a 3-1 decision Nov. 1, 2008. The Colonials also halted Long Island's 38-match home winning streak against NEC foes that dated to 2003 and improved their all-time mark against the Blackbirds to 18-11.
Monger led the RMU offensive effort with a team-high 10 kills, was one of three Colonials to record double-figure digs and also tallied two aces and three blocks. RMU middle blockers Hannah Veith (Columbus, Ohio / Worthington) and Amanda Graham (Melbourne, Fla. / Eau Gallie) aided the Colonial cause by posting remarkable hitting percentages. Veith and Graham each collected six kills without an error and hit .500 and .462, respectively. Senior captain Charla Drabant (Wheaton, Ill. / Wheaton) posted strong all-around numbers, finishing second on the team with nine kills while also adding eight digs, two blocks and an ace.
Long Island actually held a slim 13-12 lead midway through the first game, but the Colonials soon took control. Two blocks from Veith, a Monger kill and a Graham ace helped RMU to a 6-0 run that gave it a five-point advantage. Robert Morris led by as many as seven before a Drabant kill sealed the game at 25-22.
The Blackbirds came out strong after the opening-game loss, claiming 10 of the first 16 points in game two. Robert Morris responded with a 6-2 spurt to knot the game at 12. After Long Island won back-to-back points to retake the lead, 14-12, the Colonials broke it wide open. RMU went on a 13-3 run, including taking the final five points to open up a commanding two-game cushion. Robert Morris held the Blackbirds to a .029 hitting percentage in the second game.
The third game proved to be the closest of the match as it featured 14 ties and neither squad ever led by more than three points. The Colonials opened up a three-point edge, 14-11, midway through the game, but after a Long Island timeout, the Blackbirds responded by taking three of the next four exchanges to even the game at 15. The teams each claimed five of the next ten points and were tied at 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20. The Blackbirds finally took a two-point lead, 22-20, but the Colonials came right back, taking the next three points. The teams alternated the next four points before Veith and Monger combined on a block to clinch the match.
Veith, the NEC leader in blocks per game, collected a match-high six to lead another impressive blocking effort for RMU. The Colonials doubled up Long Island, outblocking the Blackbirds 10-5. Through 16 matches this season, Robert Morris has only been outblocked once.
Catucci collected 13 assists and tied her career high with 10 digs while also adding her first kill of the season. Senior captain Corinne Moser (Meyersdale, Pa. / Meyersdale) tied for the match-high with 13 digs while freshman setter Alex Deines (Centennial, Colo. / Littleton) led Robert Morris with 20 assists.
The Colonials, who won their conference opener for the third straight season, will finally conclude their 13-match road trip as they continue NEC play by taking on St. Francis (N.Y.) Sunday afternoon. The Terriers also were victorious in their conference opener as they recorded a come-from-behind, 3-1 victory against Saint Francis (Pa.).