Hackensack, N.J. –
Robert Morris University volleyball senior middle blocker
Becky Jay broke the program record for block assists as the Colonials defeated Fairleigh Dickinson University in three sets this afternoon from Stratis Arena.
Jay now has 396 block assists in her career, one more than the previous record holder Amanda Graham (2008-11). The veteran middle blocker collected six block assists, tying sophomore
April Krivoniak for the team lead this afternoon.
With the victory, Robert Morris (9-15, 7-1 NEC) is now 25-7 all-time against Fairleigh Dickinson (4-18, 2-6 NEC) and has won 21 of the last 22 meetings between the teams.
Junior middle blocker
Kristin Thompson once again led the Colonials offensively, tallying a career-high 19 kills on a .500 hitting percentage. Thompson has now hit at over a .375 clip in five of her last six matches.
Jay also enjoyed a fine day offensively, collecting 13 kills on a .429 hitting percentage.
Sophomore outside hitter
Madelyn Betts registered the first double-double of her career with 10 kills and 14 digs. Betts was one of three RMU players with double-digit digs, slotting in behind seniors
Erica Robb and
Melissa Bograd, who had 22 and 18, respectively.
Thompson jumped out to a quick start, converting on seven of her first 10 swings as the Colonials took the first set from the Knights, 25-20. Betts tallied half of her kills in this frame, while Robb collected seven of her 22 digs.
The second set featured a little more drama, but RMU ultimately pulled it out, 26-24. Thompson and Jay each had five kills in the stanza, while Krivoniak added the final two.
Six days after fellow Northeast Conference (NEC) teams Sacred Heart and Central Connecticut State played the longest set in NCAA Division I history, the Colonials and Knights attempted to replicate it. Like the historic set between the Pioneers and Blue Devils, the visitors won the marathon stanza, 40-38.
RMU picked up the first set point of the frame at 25-24, but FDU responded by taking the next two points to put the Colonials on their heels.
Two kills from Jay ramped up the pressure for the home squad, but the Knights swung it back to 29-28. The two teams would then trade the next six points before a kill from Robb and an attack error gave RMU another set point.
That attempt would be stymied by a FDU kill, setting off a brief rally as the teams traded the next four points. The Knights would have a set point at 36-35, but the setting duo of
Hannah Hoffman and
Brianna Frakes tallied the next two points with a kill and an ace to give the Colonials a chance to win the match.
FDU wouldn't go away however, as they took the next two points to gain set point at 38-37. RMU would respond as Krivoniak tied it up for the 24th time in the frame with a kill, then Thompson picked up kills 18 and 19 to give the Colonials the victory.
With a little help from the extended third set, RMU tied the program single-game record for assists in a three-set match with 55. Hoffman and Frakes combined for 52 of those 55 helpers, dishing out 31 and 21, respectively.
Robert Morris returns to the court tomorrow afternoon as it takes on Sacred Heart. Opening serve between the Colonials and Pioneers is set for 1:00 p.m. from William H. Pitt Center.
