New Britain, Conn. – The Robert Morris University volleyball team rebounded from dropping the first set this evening against Central Connecticut, ultimately remaining unbeaten in Northeast Conference (NEC) play with a four-set victory (18-25, 25-21, 25-20, 25-16) over the Blue Devils at Detrick Gymnasium.
Robert Morris' (18-3, 8-0 NEC) has now won its first eight NEC matches for sixth time in program history, joining the league-unbeaten 1999 (9-0), 2002 (9-0), 2003 (8-0), 2004 (8-0), and 2008 (8-0) sides. The Colonials hit over .300 as a team for the fifth time this season, coming at .308 over 159 swings, and posted double-digit team total blocks (14.0) for the 11th time in 2019.
Two RMU players posted double-doubles in Whitney Brown (55a, 10d) and Lauren Kolenik (14k, 15d). Kolenik was one of four Colonials to reach double figures in kills, joining Emma Granger (15), Alyssa Hudak (15), and Maria Alfano (13). Granger, who converted at a .583 rate, added eight blocks (one solo) and two service aces on the evening. Alfano also found floor on more than half of her swings, hitting at a .545 clip.
Five players reached double-digits in digs, including the aforementioned Brown and Kolenik. Nikolette Zanolli's 16 digs led the team, with Erika Wilt (15) and Allena Carmody (13) coming in behind the libero. Granger's eight rejections achieved top honors for the match, followed by Kolenik (4, 2 solo) and Alfano (4, 1 solo).
Granger's two service aces tied her with Darcey Miller (2001-04) for the second most all-time at RMU with 158. The junior middle blocker now needs four more aces to break the program record, established by Kristie Tuxford (1992-95) with 161.
The Colonials are now two wins shy of achieving their first 20-win season since 2004 (23-9). RMU has previously won 20 or more games in 1984 (21-25-2), 1992 (20-17), 2000 (21-16), 2001 (30-7), 2002 (27-12), and 2003 (23-12).
This is the first time since the 2016 season that the Colonials have defeated Central Connecticut (7-12, 3-4 NEC). The Blue Devils swept the season series in 2017 and 2018.
RMU's opening-set defeat was just the second frame it has dropped in NEC play this season. The Colonials have won 24 of 26 conference sets, and 56 of 73 games overall.
Robert Morris completes its three-match week in a row tomorrow at 4:00 p.m. at St. Francis Brooklyn.
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