RMU dropped the tournament opener to the Tribe in three sets, but that did not tell the entire story as Robert Morris lost the trio of games by a combined seven points and had leads late in both the second and third sets. In the nightcap, the Colonials battled back to force a decisive fifth set against Kent State, but RMU did not have enough to topple the hosts in the final game.

Junior outside hitter Lindsey Monger (Rising Sun, Md. / Rising Sun) continued to put up numbers on both ends of the court for the Colonials. In the opener against the Tribe, Monger collected her fourth double-double in the past five matches with 10 kills and 13 digs. She followed that up by gathering a team-high 18 kills and a team-high .318 hitting mark against Kent State--in the process, Monger became the first Colonial in over four years to tally double-figure kills in at least six consecutive matches.

In the first match of the day, Robert Morris put up some impressive team totals considering the match lasted just three sets, tallying 44 kills and 63 digs against the Tribe, the latter sum representing the Colonials' highest dig total in a three-set match since 2008.

Monger was aided by senior captain Hannah Veith (Columbus, Ohio / Worthington) and freshman outside hitter Erica Robb (Novi, Mich. / Novi) against William & Mary as the duo tied for the team lead with 12 kills. The veteran also hit a team-leading .435 while the rookie added eight digs and registered back-to-back double-digit kill matches for the first time in her young career.

After the teams equally divided the first 16 points of the opening set in the tournament, the Tribe won four straight rallies to open up a 12-8 lead. William & Mary would later slightly increase its edge to six points, 20-14, as it closed in on the lead in the match. Robert Morris answered with a 7-2 spurt to cut the margin to just one, 22-21, but was unable to even the proceedings as the Tribe won three of the final four points to finish the set.

RMU responded by leading from the outset in the second set. The Colonials had a seven-point advantage, 19-12, and were seemingly in control when William & Mary struck for eight straight points to take its first lead of the set. Robert Morris was able to regroup as it retook the lead, 23-22, with a kill from Veith, but the Tribe once more got a run when it needed one, tallying three straight points to win the set.

The third set was the closest of the match as it featured 16 ties and neither side led by more than three points. The teams exchanged small advantages early in the game before RMU finally established a three-point lead, 20-17, with the game winding down. William & Mary rallied to tie the score as the match was knotted at 20, 21 and 23. Robert Morris could not earn another lead, and despite saving two match points, the Colonials dropped the final set, 27-25.

After playing the opening match of the day, the Colonials returned to the court for Friday's final match, but they once again endured the same fate.

Along with Monger's 18 kills against Kent State, Veith contributed 14 to record double-digit kills for the fifth time in the past six matches. Junior opposite hitter Amanda Craig (Houston, Texas / St. Agnes Academy) totaled seven kills and 14 digs, marking the first time in her career that she touched double figures in digs six times within a seven-match span.

RMU and Kent State split the first 20 points before the Golden Flashes took seven of the next nine to take a five point lead. Robert Morris showcased strong resiliency, though, by fighting its way back with a 9-1 run to push ahead by three, 21-18. Although Kent State was able to tie the score at 23, the Colonials won the last two rallies to close the opening set, finalized on a kill from Monger.

With the score tied 6-6 in the second set, Kent State won three straight points to take a slim 9-6 edge. However, the Golden Flashes were able to maintain this lead, although never extending it beyond four points, for the remainder of set. Robert Morris cut the lead to a single point six times but could not crack through as Kent State held on for a 25-22 victory.

Kent State broke a 5-5 tie in the third set with a 4-0 spurt and worked on extending its lead throughout the game. After the close start, Robert Morris could not keep up with the Golden Flashes in the third set as the hosts finished the game on an 8-0 run.

Robert Morris burst out of the gate in the fourth set, taking eight of the first nine points, helped by Monger's three kills and a block during that stretch. The Golden Flashes played from behind for much of the set and finally caught the Colonials at 18-18. Kent State edged ahead, 21-20, and appeared primed to close the match, but RMU refused to let it get away. Monger provided three kills and a block to help the Colonials win five consecutive points to tie match at two sets apiece.

The Golden Flashes were able to jump out to a quick edge in the fifth set and held off any potential Colonial rally to win the shortened game along with the match.

Freshman setter Hannah Hoffman (Parker, Colo. / Ponderosa) barely missed her second double-double in four days, tallying 42 assists and nine digs while classmate Melissa Bograd (Lemont, Ill. / Lemont) recorded 16 digs, reaching double figures for the seventh straight match in that category. Robb added nine kills and six digs against the Golden Flashes.

RMU will have little time to regroup as the Colonials play their final match of the tournament Saturday morning against IUPUI, a squad that went 2-0 Friday. First serve is set for 10:00 a.m.