The University of Rhode Island women’s volleyball team was in action four times this past week and was swept in each match to fall to 2-8 on the season.
URI traveled to Fort Worth, Texas to compete in the Fight In the Fort Tournament over the weekend, taking on No. 23 Missouri University, No. 15 Texas Christian University and Wyoming University. After the tournament, the Rams hosted Northwestern University in their home opener at Keaney Gymnasium on Monday.
The Rams opened up the tournament against Missouri on Thursday, Sept. 11. The Tigers jumped out to a quick start against URI in the first set and cruised to an easy 25-14 win to go up 1-0. After rolling over in the first set, URI came out much stronger in the second set and managed to tie the score at 14. However, Missouri went on an 8-1 run to take a commanding 22-15 lead and won the second set by a score of 25-17.
Rhody jumped out to another strong start in set number three, at one point holding a 9-5 lead, but once again it was to no avail. The Tigers quickly clawed their way back into the lead thanks to a 10-3 run and won the set 25-20 to complete the sweep.
Looking to bounce back after a rough opening game, URI shifted its focus to TCU, trying to get back in the win column on Friday. Late in the opening set, URI was only down two points, with the Horned Frogs holding onto a slim 21-19 lead. But TCU went on a 4-0 run to close out the game and went up 1-0. The first set was as close as the Rams would get to picking up a win. The next two sets were less competitive, with TCU winning the second set 25-12 and the third set 25-17.
The Rams went into their match against Wyoming later on Friday looking to salvage a win at the Fight in the Fort Tournament.
However, the Cowgirls quickly lassoed the Rams up in three sets, winning each of the first two sets 25-17 and the third set 25-16. The Rams returned home from Texas without even winning a single set and dropped to 2-7 on the year.
“The whole thought behind going to that tournament specifically was to play some good teams,” URI Head Coach Ryan Sullivan said. “We have some solid opponents in our conference, and we wanted to challenge our girls early.”
Prior to the Fight in the Fort Tournament, URI competed in the Ocean State Cup, going winless as well, and had now lost seven straight games.
“Conference play starts, and it’s a fresh slate,” Sullivan said. “So we don’t really care what our record is right now. It’s all about conference play, and we feel we’re about to peak at the right time.”
After nine games, Rhody finally got to play one in their own gym as they took on Northwestern on Monday, looking to bounce back after a tough trip to Texas and pick up a much-needed win. URI kept things close in the beginning of each set but wasn’t able to put the brooms back in the closet, as the Rams got swept (25-15, 25-16, 25-20) for the fifth straight game and extended their losing streak to eight games.
“It’s not what we wanted,” fourth-year right side Aerin Bowman said. “I don’t think that we played to our best, but I do think that there were a lot of good things. A lot of people came and showed out. Hannah [Jonick] [and] Autumn [Tombline], being freshmen, they really worked hard, and I think it was really impressive.”
URI has had a gauntlet of a nonconference schedule so far, including two games against top-25 opponents. URI managed to hold its own in some sets against some of the top schools in the country.
A bright spot for Rhody over the eight-game losing streak has been fourth-year outside hitter Emma Vente, who leads the team with 68 kills. Another positive note for URI is second-year middle blocker Havyn Rolle. Rolle was named to the Atlantic 10 Conference All-Rookie Team last season and has 53 kills so far this season.
Rhody will be back on the road as they take on the New Jersey Institute of Technology on Friday. The Rams will hope to not only snap their eight-game losing streak, but also to avoid being swept for a sixth straight game.
