Smithfield, R.I. – Behind the strength of three double-doubles, the
Robert Morris University volleyball team moved to 4-0 in Northeast Conference (NEC) play with a five-set victory over Bryant University this afternoon.
Robert Morris (5-13, 4-0 NEC) has now started 4-0 in the NEC for the fifth time in the last seven seasons. The Colonials held edges over Bryant (5-17, 1-2 NEC) in digs, 97-90, and total team blocks, 9.0 to 3.5.
Sophomore outside hitter
Arden Fisher led the charge with her seventh double-double of the season, as she collected 19 kills hitting at a .326 clip and added 20 digs. Fisher finished a kill shy of posting the first 20 kill, 20 dig game since Lindsay Monger did it against West Virginia on Sept. 11, 2012.
Joining Fisher on the double-double train were setters
Hannah Hoffman and
Brianna Frakes. Frakes dished out a team-high 27 assists and added 11 digs, while Hoffman tallied 18 assists and 13 digs.
Defensively, the Colonials were led by seniors
Melissa Bograd and
Becky Jay. Bograd collected a team-high 30 digs while Jay paced the team with five block assists.
The opening frame was a back-and-forth affair just like yesterday, with the Colonials pulling it out late, 25-22. Sophomore middle blocker
April Krivoniak was efficient offensively in the set, tallying three kills on a .375 hitting percentage.
Again like yesterday's match, RMU had a much easier time in the second frame as it picked up a 25-15 win. Fisher collected five kills and seven digs in the set, while Krivoniak added four kills.
Sets three and four went the Bulldogs way by the respective scores of 25-18 and 27-25.
The teams traded points to begin the final stanza, but the Colonials used a 5-1 run to take a lead they wouldn't relinquish. RMU picked up kills from Jay, sophomore middle blocker
Leah Dunivan, and senior outside hitter
Erica Robb in that sequence, along with two attack errors from Bryant.
The Bulldogs battled back after the Colonial run as they cut the score to 6-5 following a timeout. Robb tallied another kill to make it 7-5, then Jay and classmate
Sydney Sizemore combined for a block to extend RMU's advantage to three. It was smooth sailing from there with the Colonials finishing the match on a 7-4 run to earn the victory.
Robert Morris continues a five-match road trip on Friday, Oct. 11 as it faces in-state rival Saint Francis U. The match between the Colonials and Red Flash is set for a 5:00 p.m. start from DeGol Arena.
