Jamila Coleman
Anchor Staff Writer
Rhode Island College Women’s volleyball (4-9, 1-4 LEC) team was hosted by the UMass Boston Beacons (4-12, 1-3 LEC) on Oct. 4 in a Little East game. Both teams had fairly similar records, and gave it their all in what was an evenly matched game that went back and forth. The first set carried a tied score of 17-17 before UMass Boston gained a four point lead, which was then disrupted by RIC’s six-point comeback attempt.
The second set didn’t go in RIC’s favor, as they were shut down by the Beacons with a final tally of 25-15. This set started with a 4-4 tie, then UMass Boston broke the lead to a score of 15-5 and never looked back.
Similar to the first set, the third set would eventually make its way to a 17-17 tie. This came after UMass Boston started with an early six-point lead. The score during this lead was 8-2. Amidst this even score, both teams alternated in scoring until the Beacons stretched out to a 23-20 lead. The Anchorwomen then managed to put up a fight, bringing the score to 24-25. However, UMass Boston sophomore Toni Guerra aided her team with two service aces, closing out this match to a final score of 27-25.
Despite their loss, the Anchorwomen not only made this game incredibly competitive, but had some highlights of their own. Senior outside hitter and North Attleboro, Massachusetts native, Amelia Murphy, finished the match with eight kills and ten digs. Likewise, sophomore outside hitter Rhiannon Hodovanec of Feeding Hills, Massachusetts registered a team high nine kills. Accompanying her aforementioned teammates at the top of the RIC leaderboard-of-the-day was sophomore setter Natalie Reid, who also reigns from North Attleboro. Reid led the team in assists, accumulating 17.
RIC next traveled to Westfield State University to take on the Owls in non-conference play. During the first set, the Anchorwomen saw a number of lead changes between themselves and their hosts, but ultimately would fall 25-22 in this set. The second set saw RIC struggle to find a foothold against WSU, and lose 25-14. In the third set, with their backs against the wall, RIC would put up a good fight, but ultimately fall 25-19 to WSU. The Owls took this match 3-0. Murphy led the Anchorwomen in kills with 11. Reid provided a team-high 23 assists, while Murphy had a team leading nine digs.
Murphy now sits only 40 kills away from 1,000 for her career. She would become the sixth Anchorwomen in school history to reach this mark.
The Anchorwomen’s next game will be on Oct. 11, where they host Eastern Connecticut State in Little East Conference play.