George Washington University Athletics
George Washington University
5-10,2-2Atlantic 10
Rhode Island
3-13,0-4Atlantic 10
Volleyball Earns Series Sweep of Rhode Island, 3-1
10/1/2023 2:57:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
WASHINGTON – GW volleyball finished its 2-0 weekend with a 3-1 win over Rhode Island on Sunday, 25-16, 20-25, 25-15, 25-18.
BY THE NUMBERS
Liv Womble and Elizabeth Drelling paced the GW offense that hit for .261 on the match, burying 11 kills apiece. It marked a season-high for Drelling, who has recently found a comfortable spot as one of GW's outside hitters. MC Daubendiek added nine kills and Sydney Stewart put down seven kills with just three errors on 13 attempts to hit for .308. Dilara Elmacioglu picked up 25 assists and Maeve Loughran added 15.
Not only was Stewart effective on offense, but the middle blocker came up big for GW defensively at the net with seven total blocks, equaling her career-high. Amina Robinson scooped up 16 digs and Penelope Hiepler tallied 13.
HOW IT HAPPENED
With Drelling behind the service line, GW put together a six-point scoring run that helped to a 12-4 lead in the opening set. The Revolutionaries continued to pad their lead, capitalizing on five Rhode Island errors and putting down a pair of kills to push their advantage to 21-12. GW would allow just four more points for Rhode Island, who went on a scoring run, but four straight points was the response from the Buff & Blue, who took the opening frame, 25-16.
A more efficient Rams offense was the difference in the second set, as Rhode Island evened the match at one set apiece, out-hitting GW .207 to .143. Hope Passerello remained behind the service line for seven-straight points, helping the Rams to a 14-6 advantage to soon take the set 25-20.
Two blocks from Womble and Stewart set the tone for set three, with GW hitting .385 to Rhode Island's .029 in addition to GW also making four stops at the net. GW had one attack error on 26 attempts and outscored the Rams 10-2 in the final stages of the set to go ahead 2-1 in the match.
A match-high 16 kills came in set four, with GW continuing to be effective offensively with a .289 hitting percentage. The Rams held an 8-6 lead before GW regained control, boosted by a five-point scoring run with Hiepler serving at 15-11. The Revolutionaries held this lead for good to earn the series sweep of Rhode Island and move to 2-2 in A-10 play.
UP NEXT
GW finishes its three-match homestand welcoming George Mason to the Smith Center on Wednesday at 6 p.m. for Faculty and Staff Appreciation night. Tickets are available here.
