Cleveland, Ohio – The Robert Morris University volleyball team begun a four-match road swing with a three-set defeat to Cleveland State this evening in Horizon League action from Woodling Gymnasium. RMU falls to 0-9 (0-9 HL) with the defeat, while the Vikings move to 6-5 (6-5 HL).
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Down 17-11 in the opening set, the Colonials used a 5-1 run to pull within two and force a Cleveland State timeout. Alyssa Hudak started the rally with a kill, then Maria Alfano got in on the action with one of her own. Alyson Londot found the floor with a swing after a service error, and Alfano connected to make it 18-16. RMU stayed within two with a pair of Abby Ryan kills and Erika Wilt point at 21-19, but the Vikings closed the frame on a 4-1 run to capture it at 25-20.
KEEP IT MOVING
There was additional record book movement following tonight's match as senior middle blocker Maria Alfano moved into sole possession of seventh all-time at RMU in block assists (247), surpassing Leah Dunivan (246; 2013-16) Alfano's two assisted rejections against the Vikings also brought her within three of matching Kristin Thompson (283; 2012-15) for ninth in total blocks, and she now is eight away from the next spot in the block assist leaderboard, currently held by Amanda Craig (255; 2009-12).
SET IT UP
Senior Whitney Brown averaged over 10 assists per set for the fourth time this season, recording 32 in all to go along with six digs this evening. Brown now has 2,154 helpers to her name, bringing her 21 shy of tying Michelle Bartlett (2,175; 1999-01) for sixth place in the RMU all-time rankings. The Pittsburgh, Pa. product is also 231 assists from breaking into the top five, and would have to average 33 helpers over the final seven matches to reach Kelly Wayne (2,385; 1995-98).
HIGH HONORS
The Colonials received a team-high eight kills from both Alyssa Hudak – who converted at a .300 clip – and Abby Ryan. Erika Wilt paced her teammates in service aces (2) and digs this evening, while Alfano's two block assists led the visitors. For CSU, Peyton Bloomer recorded a match-best 13 kills, and Abby Miller posted a 43-assist, 12-dig double-double.
NEXT UP
RMU's four-match road trip continues tomorrow at 5:00 p.m. with a rubber match against Cleveland State. The contest will be aired live on the CSU Athletics Facebook page.
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