The setback ended RMU's four-match winning streak against Long Island, splitting the regular-season series between the squads, as the Colonials fell for only the third time in their past 13 matches.

In spite of the defeat, senior captain Hannah Veith (Columbus, Ohio / Worthington) had a match-high tying seven blocks to become just the fourth Colonial in program history to reach the 400-block plateau. Veith, who set the single-season program record for blocks in her junior season with 154, is also eighth in career kills and is now just 23 shy of reaching 1,000 for her career in that category.

Veith's notable blocking effort helped Robert Morris put down 14 blocks as a team, marking the fifth-consecutive match against Long Island in which the Colonials have tallied double-figure blocks.

Junior Lindsey Monger (Rising Sun, Md. / Rising Sun) nailed a team-best 16 kills and added 10 digs and a season-best six blocks to record her team-leading 14th double-double of the season, the most by a Colonial since 2004. Monger has now registered double-doubles in nine of her past 11 matches and has also corralled double-figure digs in 13 straight matches, the best such single-season streak at RMU since 2005.

Freshman Hannah Hoffman (Parker, Colo. / Ponderosa) helped organize the RMU offense by notching a team-best 41 assists, marking her 12th match in which she has tallied at least 40. The rookie also contributed eight digs, two kills and two blocks and is now just 42 assists shy of becoming only the fifth Colonial in school history to record a 1,000-assist season.

The first set was quite tight and featured the most ties of the match. Robert Morris opened up the first sign of some breathing room when it won six of nine points to take a 16-12 advantage. The Blackbirds then fought back with a 7-3 spurt to even the game at 19. Neither side would lead by more than a single point the rest of the set until the final rally. Long Island claimed leads of 22-21, 23-22 and 24-23, but each time RMU bounced back. The Colonials saved the Blackbirds' set point with a kill from Veith and then utilized its blocking to take the set. Freshman Becky Jay (Parma, Ohio / Padua Franciscan) recorded block assists on consecutive points, teaming up with Hoffman and then Monger, to give RMU the 26-24 victory.

Long Island jumped out to a significant lead in the second set, which would prove crucial. The Blackbirds won nine of the game's first 11 points, and although RMU outplayed Long Island for the remainder of the game, it was unable to get an equalizing point. The Colonials cut the visitors' deficit to two points on seven occasions but could get no closer as Long Island slightly extended its lead at the conclusion of the game to even the match with a 25-19 decision.

The third set was relatively close in the early going, but Long Island used a large run to put the game away and take the lead in the match. With the Blackbirds leading 9-6, they used a 16-4 run to finish the set.

With momentum in its favor, Long Island opened up an 11-7 lead in the fourth set and seemed intent on quickly finishing the match. RMU had other ideas, though, thanks in large part to Monger. The Colonials won seven straight points, with Monger providing three kills and two blocks during the run, to take a 14-11 advantage. The squads evenly split the ensuing 20 points, giving the hosts three set points. The Blackbirds briefly held off the Colonial charge by claiming three straight points, but RMU soon completed the rally. A kill from freshman Sydney Sizemore (Covington, Ky. / Holy Cross) earned RMU a set point, and the hosts took advantage this time to force a decisive set with a 26-24 win.

After using a significant amount of energy to rally in the fourth set, RMU could not muster enough in the fifth as the Blackbirds won each of the first six rallies to claim the lead. Robert Morris attempted to mount a comeback by taking nine of the next 12 points, but the Colonials would get no closer as Long Island was able to pull away and take the match with a nine-point victory.

Junior opposite hitter Amanda Craig (Houston, Texas / St. Agnes Academy), who entered the match having hit at least .300 in four consecutive matches, was perfect, drilling five kills on five attempts, before she was forced to leave the match due to injury.

Freshman Erica Robb (Novi, Mich. / Novi) just missed her fifth double-double of the season by putting down 11 kills and tallying nine digs along with four blocks.

Freshman Melissa Bograd (Lemont, Ill. / Lemont) led RMU with 13 digs while junior Andrea Catucci (Davidsonville, Md. / Archbishop Spalding) posted 12.

Freshman Regan Macomson (Hendersonville, N.C. / West Henderson) contributed a season-high four blocks in just two sets for RMU.

Robert Morris will look to get back on track when it meets St. Francis (N.Y.) Sunday afternoon after a quick turnaround. First serve is set for 1:00 p.m.