Princess Anne, Md. – The Robert Morris University volleyball team continued its blistering start to the season, picking up victories over Rider (25-21, 15-25, 25-20, 25-15) and Maryland Eastern Shore (25-20, 25-22, 25-18) on the final day of The Henson's Hawk Invitational to move to 10-0 on the year.
Robert Morris (10-0, 0-0 NEC) has now competed in three non-conference tournaments to start the season, and swept them all. The Colonials' 10 wins are one of tying their entire total from last year.
Against Rider (3-8, 0-0 MAAC), RMU hit .268 over the final two sets after dropping the second one, 25-15. The Colonials also held the Broncs to a .123 hitting percentage over that period, after they hit .263 in the frame they won.
Lauren Kolenik posted her second double-double in RMU colors, tallying 14 kills and 10 digs against Rider. Maria Alfano matched her team-high kill total of 14, hitting at a .303 clip to with three block assists. Emma Granger recorded 11 kills, seven blocks (one solo), and four service aces in the afternoon match.
Whitney Brown nearly joined Kolenik in the double-double club, collecting 33 assists and eight digs. Nikolette Zanolli's 22 digs led the team, as she was joined in double figures by Erika Wilt (12), Allena Carmody (11), and the aforementioned Kolenik.
In the nightcap, the Colonials dispatched of tournament host Maryland Eastern Shore (3-7, 0-0 MEAC) in three sets. RMU came back from a 16-12 deficit in the opening frame, tallying the final five points to win it, and trailed at 17-14 in the third set before closing the match on an 11-1 run.
Alyssa Hudak sparked the offensive attack with a team-high 13 kills on a .320 hitting percentage. Brown reached her double-double against the Hawks with 28 assists and 10 digs, while Alfano posted eight kills and six blocks.
Carmody, Granger, and Kolenik all dished out three service aces against UMES. Zanolli led the Colonials with 12 digs.
RMU is now one of 11 undefeated teams remaining in NCAA Division I volleyball. The Colonials and No. 6 Pittsburgh are the only two to be sitting at 10-0.
Robert Morris will look to complete a perfect non-conference slate at the Youngstown State Invitational next weekend. The Colonials play the Penguins at 1:30 p.m. and Central Michigan at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 20, and conclude the invite at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 21 against Eastern Illinois.
Follow the Colonials: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
