Bronx, N.Y. – The Robert Morris University volleyball team kicked off its road slate in winning fashion with a pair of victories over Georgetown and Niagara at the Rose Hill Classic in Bronx, N.Y., Friday afternoon.

Robert Morris (4-2) jumped out to early leads in the first two sets versus Georgetown and rolled to 25-18 and 25-23 victories, respectively. The Hoyas (1-3), however, sparked a 7-0 run down the stretch to take a 21-16 lead in the third and topped the Colonials, 25-18, to force a fourth set.

It appeared as if set five was on the horizon when Robert Morris trailed early in the fourth, 15-5, but the Colonials strung together a 7-1 streak to cut the Hoyas' lead to one, 19-18. The rest of the set was back-and-forth until junior Arden Fisher stepped into the server's box and served for the final two points, including a match-winning ace, to help RMU to the win.

Senior Kristin Thompson led the Colonials with a season-high 13 kills on consistent, high-efficiency hitting by the middle blocker (.400 on the season). Juniors April Krivoniak and Leah Dunivan each posted eight kills, a season best for Krivoniak. Dunivan went 8-for-15 at a .467 clip and played well on both sides of the net, as she led Robert Morris with six blocks. Additionally, freshman libero Allie Yurkovich matched her career-high 19 digs. Collectively, the Colonials served up a season-high nine aces and once again out-blocked their opponent (10-5).

RMU returned to the court a few hours later and recorded its first shutout victory of the season with a 3-0 sweep of Niagara (2-3), 25-18, 25-19, 25-12. In their most dominant win of the year, the Colonials limited their opponent to a season-best 12 points in set three and held the Purple Eagles to a .028 team hitting percentage. Robert Morris enjoyed its best team attack percentage of the season at .341.

Fisher led the Colonials with 15 kills at a .345 clip, while freshman Taylor Lord added nine kills on a proficient .438 attack percentage and a team-leading 10 digs. Dunivan commanded the blocking effort with six, while Robert Morris overpowered the Purple Eagles at the net, 10.5 total team blocks to 2.0.

GETTING THE BALL ROLLING
Robert Morris is off to its best start in nonconference action under head coach Dale Starr; the most nonconference victories a Colonials squad has tabbed with Starr at the helm is five in 2011
 
BLOCK PARTY
The Colonials have outmatched their opponents in total blocks in all six matches on the young season
 
 
The Colonials continue Rose Hill Classic action tomorrow versus host university Fordham at 1 p.m.

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