Villanova, Pa. – Aug. 24, 2012 - The Robert Morris University volleyball team opened play at the Villanova Classic with a non-conference setback to New Hampshire, 10-25, 13-25, 11-25, Friday evening at the Nevin Field House.

Senior Andrea Catucci (Davidsonville, Md. / Archbishop Spalding) had a game-high two service aces while sophomore Becky Jay (Parma, Ohio / Pauda Franciscan) registered the only solo block of the game for either team.

In the first set, New Hampshire raced out to an 8-1 advantage that forced the Colonials to take their first timeout.  Coming out of the break, it was more of the same as Robert Morris was never able to string together a run of points because of multiple errors that aided the Wildcats to a 25-10 victory in the first set.

The second set saw a similar start for the Colonials as New Hampshire jumped out to a 6-1 advantage.  RMU was then able to string some points together to go on a 6-3 run of their own to narrow the deficit to two.  Again aided by a string of unforced Colonial attacking errors, New Hampshire would pull away with the second set victory by a score of 25-13.

In what would become the final set of the match, the Wildcats would again take a commanding early lead – this time it became a 7-1 margin.  Trying to bring the Colonials back, Catucci would register both of her service aces in a run of three points for RMU.  New Hampshire would close out the third set and the match on a seven point run as it took the third set 25-11.

The Colonials will wrap up play at the Villanova Classic Saturday with two games.  Robert Morris will open the day against Maryland at 10:30 a.m. before concluding against the host Villanova at 5:30 p.m.

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