New Britain, Conn. –  In a tight four-set match, the Robert Morris University volleyball team came out on top to defeat Northeast Conference leader Central Connecticut State, 3-1, Saturday afternoon in Detrick Gymnasium.
 
The Colonials (11-13, 5-3) extend their overall win streak to two matches and stretch of consecutive NEC victories to four, while the Blue Devils (11-9, 6-2) dropped their second straight match following a 3-1 loss at LIU Brooklyn last weekend.
 
Outside hitters senior Arden Fisher and sophomore Taylor Lord recorded double-doubles in the victory. Fisher recorded a match-high 17 kills and eclipsed 30 digs for the fourth time this season with 31. Lord posted 10 kills, 18 digs, and a career-high-tying four service aces. For the first time since September 6, senior Leah Dunivan reached double-digit kills with 12 at a .367 clip. She led the blocking effort with seven total stuffs. Junior setter Brianna Frakes dealt 50 assists.
 
"I'm really proud of our overall effort today," said head coach Dale Starr following the win. "We served pretty tough and put some pressure on them, and our ball control was very good today. Leah Dunivan had a great match, and defensively, Arden [Fisher] dug everything that was hit her way. This is a big win for us and I'm really proud of our team. We've got another big match tomorrow, so not too much time to enjoy this one."
 
CCSU was determined to force a fifth set, and it showed midway through the fourth when they made a 5-1 run to a 13-11 lead. Robert Morris called timeout and won the following point, but the Blue Devils remained persistent and extended their advantage to three. The Colonials captured six of the next seven points and went ahead by two. The set stayed close through the rest of the frame, and CCSU went in front briefly at 25-24, before sophomore middle Brianna Schmid found a wide open spot in the middle of the court and slammed the ball down between two Blue Devils defenders to earn match point, 28-26.
 
After they dropped set two, the Colonials opened set three on a 4-0 run with help from a Schmid kill and Fisher ace to rediscover their rhythm on offense. CCSU scored four consecutive points en route to a 6-5 lead, but RMU responded with a 10-3 run to take control of the set via a 16-8 advantage. The Blue Devils managed to cut the Colonials lead to four, 19-15, but Robert Morris scored the next four points on their way to a 2-1 lead in the match.
 
Both teams put together impressive runs for points early in the first set, and then traded points back and forth later in the frame. A 5-1 run for the Colonials helped them to a 25-22 set one win to start the day.
 
Robert Morris returns to NEC action on Sunday, Oct. 23 with a 3 p.m. match at Bryant.
 
 
Early Predictions
The Colonials collected six first-place votes to earn the top spot in the NEC Preseason Coaches' Poll. RMU qualified for its 17th consecutive NEC Tournament last season, extending the conference's longest active streak. In each of those 17 seasons, the Colonials have posted a winning record in league competition, which stands as the longest such streak of any NEC member, past or present.
 
Trending
Senior Arden Fisher has posted a double-double in 17 of 23 matches played this season and has recorded double-digit digs in all but two matches on the year. Her streak of 11 matches with a double-double to start a season marks the longest season-opening streak in Robert Morris history dating back to 2003. She leads the Colonials in kills (278) and digs (461).
 
Success Under Starr
RMU's win over St. Francis Brooklyn marked head coach Dale Starr's 100th victory as head coach of the Robert Morris volleyball program. He is now one victory shy of his 200^th career win at the Division I level.
 
A Historic Run
Robert Morris qualified for its 17th consecutive NEC Tournament last year, extending the conference's longest active streak. In the last 17 seasons, the Colonials have posted a winning record in league play; the longest such streak of any NEC member, past or present. Over that time span, RMU has gone 157-39 in conference play.
 
 
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