Moon Township, Pa. – Two dominant sets and a final push to close out the third led the Robert Morris University volleyball team to a 3-0 victory over Fairleigh Dickinson Sunday afternoon in the Sewall Center.
 
In their first conference weekend at home, the Colonials (10-10, 4-1) went 1-1 after a loss to Sacred Heart and today's sweep of the Knights (8-12, 1-4).
 
For the second consecutive match and the third time in RMU's last four outings, senior Kristin Thompson tabbed double-figure kills with 12. The junior tandem of Leah Dunivan and Arden Fisher posted eight kills apiece. Dunivan led all hitters with a .467 clip (8-for-15) and racked up seven blocks (one solo, six assists) as she proved to be a threat on both sides of the net. Fisher led the Colonials' defense with 18 digs and notched a season-high three aces.
 
Despite trailing 2-0 in the match, the Knights continued to swing away and posted 14 kills in the third set in a final effort to force set four and keep the game alive, but five of Thompson's 12 kills occurred in set three and RMU posted six blocks to limit FDU's offense. Additionally, Fairleigh Dickinson committed a set-high nine errors in the last frame, while the Colonials recorded three.
 
Sets one and two were won by Robert Morris in dominant fashion by scores of 25-15 and 25-14. Today's victory marked the first time all season that the Colonials limited their opponent to 15 points or less in multiple sets.
 
After enjoying a weekend at home, the Colonials take to the road for matches at Bryant on Saturday, Oct. 17 at 5 p.m. and Central Connecticut State on Sunday, Oct. 18 at 1 p.m.
 
 
Head Coach Dale Starr
On bouncing back after yesterday's loss to Sacred Heart…
We were really able to put yesterday in our rearview mirror and come out and focus. We followed our game plan to a tee. We put together a good game plan and we knew where [Fairleigh Dickinson] was vulnerable and I think our ball control was where it started. Our serve receive passing was outstanding. We were in system all day long and that showed. We sided out at 72% for the match so that's really a testament to how well we passed the ball and how well we were in system. When we're in system we're hard to stop.
 
On what was said to the team to prepare for today's match after the loss to Sacred Heart…
We just talk about [the loss]. It's part of the maturation process and the ups and downs of a season. There's going to be ups, there's going to be downs, but one thing about this group is they're competitive and they're able to focus on the task at hand. We've got good leadership and what we talk about as a group is just looking forward and taking the next step.
 
 
Serve It Up
The Colonials' seven aces match their highest output in conference action and second-highest ace total on the season.
 
Block Party
After posting a season-high eight blocks at LIU Brooklyn, Leah Dunivan has posted seven or more total blocks in three of her last four appearances.

Stepping Up
Senior Kristin Thompson leads RMU in overall hitting percentage (.307) and hitting percentage in conference action (.357). She has posted double-digit kills in three of her last four outings and led the Colonials in kills in the last two matches.
 
 
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