BALTIMORE -- The
Robert Morris volleyball team saw the laborious nature of two thrilling victories take its toll on the second day of the Charm City Challenge, which it concluded with a straight-set defeat (15-25, 16-25, 21-25) at the hands of James Madison at the new UMBC Event Center Saturday.
The red-hot Dukes (8-2), winners of four in a row, claimed the tournament title, leaving the Colonials as the runner-up after hard-fought wins over the host Retrievers and nearby Loyola Maryland on Friday. Outside hitter
Alyson Londot and one of her fellow sophomores, middle blocker
Skylar Clements, were named to the Charm City Challenge All-Tournament Team.
Clements played admirably against JMU, taking advantage of extra floor time by making a team- and career-high eight kills and two digs on a robust .571 attack average. The 6'3" Colorado native bested her season high of five kills that she attained versus William & Mary in the Hokie Invitational Aug. 31, and her previous career high of six at Butler Aug. 26, 2017.
Londot has been one of the brightest of the bright spots on the Robert Morris offense as of late. The former Utica (Ohio) High School standout, who led the team and ranked ninth in the Northeast Conference with 2.52 kills per set entering Friday, hit .294 for the tournament and led RMU in kills in both aforementioned victories.
She finished with a season-high 16 against Loyola, one shy of her personal best, and she attacked at a career-high .458 clip in the win over UMBC. Londot had not reached the .400 mark since a Sept. 1, 2017 match against Canisius.
Two other sophomores turned in performances of note versus JMU, as outside hitter
Mirna Sarjanovic matched her season high of seven kills, and middle blocker
Maria Alfano recorded her first career service ace. Rookie libero
Nikolette Zanolli had the other ace for the Colonials Saturday, her sixth of the season.
Senior libero
Allie Yurkovich led the Colonials defense with ten digs, and Zanolli added nine.
Another newcomer, setter
Megan Cannon, established a new season high in assists, with 29, besting her 28 helpers against William & Mary.
Robert Morris (3-7) returns home Tuesday to renew its non-conference rivalry with Youngstown State. First serve from the North Athletic Complex is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. EDT, and admission is free.
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