LORETTO, Pa. -- The
Robert Morris volleyball team is still in search of its first Northeast Conference victory after stumbling at Saint Francis University in four sets (15-25, 19-25, 25-20, 18-25) at DeGol Arena in the 70th recorded match of their long-standing rivalry Friday night.
The second-year northeast Ohio tandem of middle blocker
Emma Granger and outside hitter
Alyson Londot delivered ten kills apiece to co-lead the Colonials, and ten different players registered at least one. However, the Red Flash (2-14, 1-2) took command of the contest with a six-point run midway through the first set, followed by a five-point run during the second to send RMU to its fourth straight defeat overall.
Granger and Londot willed Robert Morris to a 13-11 edge in a back-and-forth third frame, and a kill and subsequent service ace by senior outside hitter
Taylor Lord built the lead to 16-13. After SFU rallied to make it 19-19, Londot and Lord answered right back with consecutive points to give RMU the lead for good.
An ace on set point by rookie libero
Nikolette Zanolli, who also finished with a team-leading 21 digs, kept the Colonials alive. An early 8-1 deficit doomed them in the fourth, even after Lord tried to help the visitors mount a comeback with a couple of late kills.
A bright spot for Robert Morris was the play of Pittsburgh-raised sophomore
Whitney Brown, who continued her fine first season as the team's starting setter with 41 assists, including several key helpers in their victorious third frame. The Avonworth High School product added nine digs and her 16th ace of the year.
Sophomore middle blocker
Skylar Clements continued to contribute in her increased role up front, hitting a team-high .357 with six kills and three blocks.
Lord, who ended up with seven kills and seven digs, also made three blocks.
Robert Morris (6-11, 0-3) returns home to face St. Francis Brooklyn next Friday. As part of Homecoming Weekend, the Colonial Crazies student section has called for fans to participate in a "White Out" when the Colonials take on the Terriers.
First serve at the North Athletic Complex is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. EDT on Oct. 5. The Colonials continue NEC play, and conclude Homecoming festivities, next Saturday, Oct. 6, when they battle defending conference tournament champion LIU Brooklyn.
First serve against the Blackbirds is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. EDT. Admission to both matches at the NAC is free.
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