Box Score

Columbia, S.C. – The Robert Morris University volleyball team concluded play in its early season tournaments with one final match at the Carolina Classic.  The Colonials took on Western Carolina in a match that would last just three set as RMU was swept; 19-25, 19-25, 26-28.

The opening set of the match would feature six lead changes before Western Carolina (10-4) came out on top over Robert Morris (0-13).  The Colonials would jump out to the early lead after a six-point run gave RMU a 8-4 advantage.  Western Carolina would respond and tie the set, 10-10, after a three-point run of its own.  The two teams would exchange points until Western Carolina opened up a slim two-point lead with the score 19-17.  The Colonials answered with two points of their own to tie the score, but Western Carolina would end the set with a six-point run to make the final score 25-19.

RMU would allow Western Carolina to take an early lead in the second set before taking an 8-7 lead after a four-point run.  The Colonials would hold a 12-9 advantage before Western Carolina would embark on an 11-point run that would put Robert Morris down eight points, 20-12.  Unable to recover from the run, Robert Morris would drop the second set, 25-19.

The Colonials would lead for the majority of the third set before letting the lead slip away in the final points.  The two squads would exchange points early on but a four-point run by RMU would open up an advantage, 7-3.  The early advantage would allow Robert Morris to withstand a stretch of play in the middle of the set where Western Carolina took seven of a possible nine points and tie the set 14-14.  Each time that Western Carolina tied the score, the Colonials had an answer to hold on to the lead.  The two teams would battle back-and-forth in the second half of the set as neither team strung together a run of points to take control of the set.  Serving for set point, 24-23, the Colonials would drop consecutive points that allowed Western Carolina to take its first lead of the set, 25-24.  RMU was able to fend off two match points for Western Carolina before dropping consecutive points making the final score 28-26.

Arden Fisher (Oakmont, Pa. / Riverview) and Erica Robb (Novi, Mich. / Novi) each recorded a double-double in the match as the duo each tallied a match-high ten kills.  Fisher led the Colonials with 15 digs while Robb had 14 and Hannah Hoffman (Parker, Colo. / Ponderosa) recorded 11.  Robb and Kristin Thompson (Monroe, Ohio / Bishop Fenwick) paced the Colonials with three block assists each.

RMU plays host to a non-conference match on Tuesday evening at 7:00 p.m. when Youngstown State comes to the Charles L. Sewall center before beginning Northeast Conference play on Saturday.