In a must-win game to keep their Little East Conference Tournament hopes alive, the Rhode Island College women’s volleyball team took care of business against the University of Southern Maine, 3-0, on Friday, Oct. 21. The Anchorwomen only dropped a total of 26 points on their way to a sweep. The struggling Huskies remain winless while Rhode Island College stays alive in the postseason hunt.
The Anchorwomen certainly came ready to play after being defeated easily midweek at Wesleyan. Right away, the Anchorwomen put the pressure on the Huskies and took the first set 25-8. The Anchorwomen kept the pressure on in the next set as RIC dominated the game by a runaway 25-5 score. The last set was also an easy victory for RIC despite resting a few key players, getting out of Southern Maine with a 25-13 set three win and an easy sweep that kept their playoff dreams alive and well.
RIC junior setter Jessica Ho played a huge role in the victory with a game-high with 26 kills. Freshman Marina Stoermer led the game with 12 kills and junior captain Breanna Boyer chipped in with nine kills. Currently, the duo is third and fourth in kills on the conference leader board as Boyer averages 3.58 per set and Stoermer averages 3.50. Sophomore outside hitter Amanda Cabral led RIC with five digs. Southern Maine’s Annie Mitchell led the way with seven digs and her teammate Nicole Hansen added six of her own.
The schedule amplifies in intensity from here. The Anchorwomen close out the home schedule Tuesday, Oct. 25 against Western Connecticut (20-8, 3-2). On Saturday, Oct. 29 the regular season comes to an end with a trip to Plymouth State (19-9, 4-1). At the moment, RIC sits at sixth in the LEC standings, good enough for the final LEC tournament berth. If RIC can sweep the week ahead, the Anchorwomen could climb as high as third in the LEC standing and would then host an elimination game at the Murray Center on Tuesday, Nov. 1. Home court advantage could be key for the Anchorwomen as they own a .916 winning percentage at home this season.
