Rams fall in first-ever matchup with undefeated Ramblers
PHOTO CREDIT: gorhody.com
After picking up their first conference win the previous weekend, the University of Rhode Island volleyball team was swept in their two-match series with the Loyola Ramblers, falling to 5-19 on the year.
This weekend marked the first matchup between both teams since the Ramblers joined the Atlantic 10 earlier this year. While Rhody did not get the result they wanted, the team is proud of the way they were able to compete, especially early in matches.
“We may not have the same record, but we have the same type of talent, “ Angel Agu, volleyball head coach, said. “We can get these wins. Again, it’s just a matter of cracking up the ice and figuring out ways to put us on top.”
The Rams were neck-and-neck with Loyola in Friday’s first set. URI kept within three points throughout, eventually putting together a six-point scoring run to go out in front 19-18.
Both teams continued to trade points before the Ramblers called a timeout up 23-22. The visitors quickly closed it out, scoring four of the final five points and taking it 25-23.
It was all Loyola the rest of the way, as they never trailed over the final two sets. The Ramblers quickly jumped out to an 8-1 lead in the second, putting together runs of six and seven points before securing a 25-12 set win.
The third set was closer, with the Rams only trailing 9-6 early on. But another big offensive burst for the Ramblers – this time an 11-1 run – allowed them to take the final set decisively 25-11 for a 3-0 match sweep.
Junior Brynne Wright, the Rams’ kills leader on the season, led the way with 10 kills in the defeat. Hope Passerello, the reigning A-10 Rookie of the Week, added 23 assists and three blocks, while graduate student Gabrielle Shilling added three blocks of her own.
Saturday’s rematch started in a very similar fashion, as both teams kept it close in the first set. After Loyola found themselves up 16-8, Rhody slowly crept back, cutting the deficit to six before scoring six of the next seven points to cut the Rambler lead to just one at 23-22. But Loyola closed out the final two points, securing the set 25-22.
Rhody picked up the first five points of the second, but the Ramblers were able to regain control quickly. After the Ram lead was cut to 13-12, Loyola went on a 7-0 scoring burst and never looked back. The Ramblers closed the second 25-19 before a 25-20 third-set win that completed Loyola’s weekend sweep.
Freshman Lauren Nelson finished the match with a team-leading eight kills, while Shilling put together another four blocks. Passerello added 24 more assists to her season total, while junior Samantha Blahut tied for the match lead with three service aces.
Despite the results, Rhody was able to remain upbeat throughout the contest. According to Nelson, being positive is a huge part of the game, and it’s important to enjoy the sport that they play at the Division 1 level.
“We’re doing this for a reason, so why not just go out there and have fun?” Nelson said. “This is the sport that we love. We’re here playing D1 volleyball, and why not play our best, go out there and just support each other and have fun on the court with the people you love.”
Nelson and Passerello are among the Rams seeing an increased role in the wake of several injuries, including to senior Claire Wagner.
“I think it’s really big,” Nelson said. “I’ve wanted to prove myself, and I feel like pushing myself and having that mentality switch of positivity and showing what I can do because I can do it.”
Next up, the Rams will head back on the road next weekend to take on the George Mason Patriots on Friday and Saturday. Both matches can be streamed on ESPN+.