Box Score Nov. 10, 2012
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Bronx, N.Y. -
Through the first two sets on Saturday afternoon, it sure didn't look as if the Fordham volleyball team would send its two seniors, Michele Keathley and Randi Ewing, off with a victory. However, a funny thing happened on the way to match's end, as Fordham reeled off some of its best play of the season, rallying to win the match over Rhode Island in five sets at the Rose Hill Gym. Final set scores were 15-25, 22-25, 25-13, 25-10, and 15-13.
The win concludes Fordham's season at 14-19 overall, 6-8 in the Atlantic 10, while the loss eliminated Rhode Island from postseason contention, wrapping up its season at 11-17 on the year, 6-8 in the league.
The opening two sets were completely in Rhode Island's favor, as URI held Fordham to negative hitting percentages in both sets, while posting six team blocks. Rhode Island's Britta Baarstad did the most damage with nine kills and three blocks in the opening two sets.
Then everything turned around in set three, as Fordham quickly built up a 7-2 lead and would lead by as many as 12. The Rams got four kills apiece from Lisa Hipp and Carina Thompson with Hipp adding six digs in the set to lead the way.
The Rams were nearly perfect in set four, dominating the score by 15 points. Fordham would post a perfect sideout percentage, as URI never earned a point on serve, while having just one attack error compared to 13 kills.
Everything boiled down to the fifth set, where Fordham built up a 6-3 edge following a service ace by Maria Rodenberg and two kills from Abigail Konovodoff. Fordham extended the lead to four at 9-5 on a block by Hipp and Thompson, but Rhode Island wouldn't go away, tying the score at 11 all. The two teams would trade sideouts until Fordham got match point on a kill by Brianna O'Neil. Thompson then came up with a block on the ensuing point to win the set and the match, 15-13.
For Fordham, Hipp recorded a match-high 14 kills and a career-high 21 digs, as she finished the year with over 400 kills and 300 digs which were both personal-bests. O'Neil added 11 kills with Konovodoff having a season-high 10 kills and six blocks. Ewing recorded six kills and eight blocks in her Senior Day finale, giving her 329 career blocks, which is third all-time at Fordham, while Keathley had nine digs in her finale. Thompson chipped in nine kills and six blocks with Sara Konkel posting 37 assists, nine digs, and four kills. Maria Rodenberg also had 16 digs and seven assists at the libero position.
