Rochester, Mich. – The RMU volleyball team concluded its two-game road trip on Saturday, dropping a 3-0 decision at Oakland in Horizon League play at the OU Credit Union O'rena.

With the setback, the Colonials slip to 4-10 overall while posting a 1-2 mark in conference action. Meanwhile, the Golden Grizzlies improve to 8-7 this season, with a 2-1 record in league play.

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
In the opening stanza, Oakland jumped out to an early 6-2 advantage before the Colonials scored six of the next six points to trim the deficit, 8-6. The Golden Grizzlies would respond with a 7-3 surge to open its lead, thanks to four kills during the run. After the media timeout, RMU rattled off six of the next nine points to trim the Oakland lead, 18-15. Sophomore Hillarie Adams sparked the run with three straight kills before classmate Kaitlyn Brown and freshman Natalie Stepanovich registered points. The Golden Grizzlies would rally with a 7-4 run, carding three kills from three different players to secure set 1, 25-19.

TWO TO THE THREE
Oakland used 14 kills, a .294 attacking percentage, and four errors on 34 attacks to take a 2-0 match advantage. In the second tilt, the Golden Grizzlies leaped out to an 8-3 advantage before mounting five of the next six points to hold a 13-4 lead. The Colonials didn't shy away as they responded with six consecutive points to trim the deficit, 13-10. Stepanovich sparked the surge with a kill, followed by a service ace before graduate student Rosina Esposito and Adams registered points to force a Golden Grizzlies timeout. Out of the timeout, Oakland mounted five of the next six points before RMU carded a 6-1 surge to trim the lead, 19-17. Stepanovich and Adams paced the charge with two successful swings each. The Golden Grizzlies responded with a 6-1 run to claim the second set, 25-18. In the third frame, Oakland would pick up where they left off, jumping out to a 9-2 lead while using a match high 15 kills during the set. The Golden Grizzlies would bolster a 10-5 run later in the set to secure the match.

INSIDE THE BOXSCORE
Natalie Stepanovich paced the Colonials with 12 kills, seven digs, and one service ace on Saturday. Hillarie Adams registered 11 successful swings with one dig and one assist while Rosina Esposito posted three points. Graduate student Allena Carmody netted a team-high 18 digs, to go along with three assists and one ace. Ashleigh Wallin tallied 11 assists and four digs while Kaitlyn Brown recorded seven assists and three digs.

UP NEXT
RMU returns to Moon Township on Tuesday, Sept. 26, when it welcomes Northern Kentucky for a Horizon League contest, with the opening serve scheduled for 6:00 p.m.

Follow The Colonials: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Gameday App