MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. – RMU volleyball closed out its weekend series against Oakland on Saturday afternoon, falling to the Golden Grizzlies, 3-1, at the UPMC Events Center.
With the loss, the Colonials move to 3-16 overall and 1-7 in Horizon League action, while Oakland improves to 8-12 overall and 3-5 in conference play.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The opening set remained tight early before Oakland used a run to create separation. The Golden Grizzlies hit .357 in the frame and recorded 17 kills on their way to a 25-19 victory.
RMU responded with its best offensive set of the afternoon in the second. The Colonials totaled 18 kills with just three errors on 38 attacks, hitting .395 as a team. RMU used the strong offensive showing to even the match with a 25-21 victory.
The Colonials battled throughout a tightly contested third set, but Oakland was able to secure the final points of the frame for a 25-23 victory and a 2-1 advantage in the match.
Oakland carried the momentum into the fourth set, closing out the match with a 25-19 victory.
RMU finished the afternoon with 50 kills, 48 assists, 98 digs and 10 blocks. Oakland totaled 57 kills, 54 assists, 101 digs and six blocks.
DECKER'S STREAK CONTINUES
Freshman Lauren Decker continued her impressive rookie campaign, leading the Colonials with 15 kills while adding 18 digs for her ninth double-double of the season.
With her 15-kill performance, Decker has now registered 10 or more kills in 12 consecutive matches. She also finished the afternoon with 17.5 points to lead RMU.
Sophomore Layla Todd joined Decker in double figures with 13 kills and 11 digs, marking her ninth match of the season with at least 10 kills.
Keira Hornung rounded out RMU's trio of double-digit attackers with 10 kills while adding a team-high five total blocks. Tia Schultz and Addyson Butts each contributed four blocks as the Colonials finished with 10 total blocks compared to six for Oakland.
BARNARD PASSES 700
Freshman setter Kenlee Barnard reached another milestone in her first collegiate season, dishing out 40 assists to eclipse the 700-assist mark.
Barnard now sits at 702 assists on the season while also recording 11 digs and two block assists against the Golden Grizzlies.
Defensively, Anahi Alvarado turned in a strong performance from the back row, finishing with a match-high 39 digs while adding seven assists.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
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Lauren Decker recorded 15 kills and 18 digs for her ninth double-double of the season.
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Decker extended her streak of matches with 10+ kills to 12 consecutive contests.
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Layla Todd finished with 13 kills and 11 digs, recording her ninth 10-kill performance of the season.
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Kenlee Barnard dished out 40 assists, bringing her season total to 702.
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Anahi Alvarado registered a match-high 39 digs.
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Keira Hornung posted 10 kills and a team-high five blocks.
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RMU held a 10-6 advantage in total blocks.
UP NEXT
RMU hits the road next weekend for a pair of Horizon League matchups. The Colonials will travel to Northern Kentucky before closing out the weekend at Wright State.
