The University of Rhode Island women’s volleyball team has 240.5 total blocks so far in the 2025 season, and 45% of those blocks have come from third-year middle blocker Chloe Abuto.
Abuto has spent all three seasons of her collegiate career in Kingston. Before URI, Abuto attended Burlington High School in Massachusetts, where she set a program record with 64 blocks.
“She’s just the foundation of our whole defense,” URI Head Coach Ryan Sullivan said. “She’s by far the most intelligent middle blocker I’ve ever coached.”
Abuto had a season-high 10 blocks against Fordham University on Oct. 29, along with a season-high nine kills against Davidson College on Oct. 3.
In Abuto’s freshman season, URI went 4-26. At the beginning of her sophomore season, Sullivan took over as the head coach of the program, and things began to change.
“My freshman year and sophomore year were kind of a little bumpy,” Abuto said. “Getting used to stuff on the team and balancing school and volleyball. Ryan coming in definitely helped; we have a good relationship. He helps me be confident, I think that’s the biggest change.”
Sullivan and Abuto said that they aren’t particularly happy with the way this season went. The Rams are 5-23 with only two games remaining in the season, but both the captain and head coach are optimistic about the 2026 season and what they can accomplish.
“For her senior year next year I fully expect her to lead us again,” Sullivan said. “Not only in blocks, but I think she’s going to make a big jump offensively as well, and it’s going to be a really, really huge loss not having that piece after next year.”
Off the court, Abuto is more soft-spoken and introverted, and she enjoys watching anime. Some of her favorite shows are “Attack on Titan,” “One Piece” and “Jujutsu Kaisen.” Sullivan said that on the court, Abuto develops an alter ego and is a fierce leader and competitor.
“I’m not really that extroverted off the court,” Abuto said. “I’m actually quiet, and that’s one of the reasons [Sullivan] gave me the role [of captain]. I think he wanted me to be challenged and put me out of my comfort zone for sure.”
Abuto and the Rams will have their work cut out for them this weekend when they host a two-game series against the University of Dayton at Keaney Gymnasium. The Flyers have a record of 33-1 against Rhode Island all time and are on an 18-match win streak. The last and only time URI has beaten Dayton was Oct. 12, 2013.
Despite the losing history against Dayton, Abuto remains optimistic about their chances.
“We have nothing to lose,” Abuto said. “Nobody [in the Atlantic 10 Conference] has beat them this season. I feel like it’s really motivating to know that we can play freely.”
The first game against Dayton will be on Friday at 4 p.m., with the second game on the following day at noon. If Rhode Island comes away with a win in one of the games, it would be the biggest upset in Division I women’s volleyball during the 2025 season based on the difference in rankings.
