Moon Township, Pa. – The Robert Morris University volleyball team faced reigning Horizon League regular-season champion Wright State this evening, and while the Colonials managed to take the second set, 25-20, they ultimately fell to the Raiders in four sets (18-25, 25-22, 20-25, 11-25) from the UPMC Events Center. RMU fell to 0-7 (0-7 HL) with the defeat, while WSU moved to 7-1 (7-0 HL).
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Tied 1-1 for the match, Wright State used two 3-0 runs and a 4-0 rally to grab a 17-10 lead in the frame. Following a timeout, RMU took three of the next four points thanks to kills from Maria Alfano and Abby Ryan, but the Raiders kept the hosts within an arm's length and extended their gap to 23-16 with another 3-0 run. Ryan kept the Colonials alive with a kill, then Hudak followed that up with one of her own. An Annie Monaco ace and Hudak point cut the gap to 23-20 and forced a WSU timeout; however, the Raiders returned from the break with a block and claim the set by a 25-20 score.
QUOTABLE
"I told the team that our only goal tonight was to compete, and they competed," said RMU head coach Dale Starr. "We've been having trouble competing, and competing to a consistent level that it takes to be successful in (the Horizon League). We're learning (that we have to compete every night), and we'll see how we do tomorrow. That's the next test, because on Mondays we've been competitive, but Tuesdays not so much. We have to be in position to win a set, be in position to win two, and then be in position to win the match."
ALL TIED UP
The second set featured seven lead changes, but RMU ultimately tied the match at 1-1 by using an 8-3 run to make up a 19-17 deficit. A service error by Lainey Stephenson started the rally, then Skylar Clements and Alyssa Hudak teamed up for a block to knot it at 19-19. Back-to-back errors made it 20-20, then a ball-handling mishap put the Colonials back in front and forced a Wright State timeout. Out of the break, Clements recorded two blocks that sandwiched an Alyson Londot kill, forcing set point at 24-20. The Raiders fought back by scoring the next two points, but a Celia Powers error sealed the set win for RMU – marking just the third time in Horizon League play this season that WSU has dropped a set.
WHO THAT HUDAK
Junior outside hitter Alyssa Hudak led the Colonials this evening, recording 16.0 points on a season-high 14 kills and four block assists. Hudak tallied all 14 of her kills over the first three sets, finishing with a .250 hitting percentage over 40 swings with three digs defensively. The Medina, Ohio product is currently posting career highs in kills per set (2.67), digs per set (1.75), blocks per set (0.46), and points per set (3.02).
DOUBLE-DOUBLE
Senior setter Whitney Brown posted her 23rd career double-double and third of the season, registering 35 assists and 11 digs. Brown is now at 2,098 assists for her career, which is 77 helpers shy of tying Michelle Bartlett (2,195; 1999-01) for sixth place all-time at RMU. The Avonworth High School alumna has recorded double-doubles in all three of the Colonials' home matches this season, previously tallying 42 assists and 19 digs on Jan. 25 and 33 assists and 14 digs on Jan. 26 – both previous instances coming against Oakland.
HIGH HONORS
RMU received a season-high five blocks (two solo) from senior middle blocker Skylar Clements, and a team-best 15 digs from junior libero Nikolette Zanolli. WSU's Celia Powers led all players with 15 kills as part of a 15-kill, 12-dig double-double, and Teddie Sauer recorded nine block assists. Jenna Story owned the match standard in digs (16), and shared the service ace lead of three with Sam Ott.
NEXT UP
The rubber match between the Colonials and Raiders is set for 5:00 p.m. tomorrow from the UPMC Events Center and will be broadcast on ESPN+.
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