BRONX, N.Y. – Fordham volleyball defeated Rhode Island on Wednesday night by a score of three sets to one.
The victory moves Fordham to 11-14 on the season overall, and puts their record at 5-7 in the Atlantic 10. The Rams currently sit just outside of the playoff picture at seventh in the A10. Rhode Island's loss drops them to 1-11 in A10 play, and 6-18 overall on the season.
The win also seals the season sweep against Rhode Island for Fordham. The two sides previously battled on October 7, where Fordham came away with a victory in straight sets.
Set One
Fordham was red-hot to start the mid-week match. The Rams jumped out ahead quickly, taking a 18-6 lead through the early stages. A pair of kills by
Bridget Woodruff helped kickstart the Fordham offense. Rhode Island struggled to connect on some swings during the early part of the first set, but quickly settled their attack. The visiting side fought back to close the Fordham lead to as little as four, but it was too little too late. Fordham walked away with a 25-20 set one victory.
Set Two
The Rams from the Bronx kept rolling in set two. Fordham again jumped out to an early lead, behind some stellar play by freshman
Johanna Franzen. Franzen picked up three service aces in the span of five points, helping engineer a Fordham run of seven unanswered points. The momentum from that mid-set run helped carry Fordham to the finish line of set two with a 25-17 victory. Head coach
Bryan Weber's offense was firing on all cylinders in set two, as the Rams hit .435 as a team.
Set Three
Rhode Island found their groove on the offensive end in set three to help extend the match. The two Rams squads exchanged points early, but Rhode Island was able to pull away to a 23-13 lead. Fordham rallied late, but was unable to pick up the win in straight sets. Rhode Island took set three by a score of 25-17, hitting .407 as a team in the process.
Set Four
Fordham turned things right back on to start set four, jumping out to an early 10-4 lead, and controlling momentum from there on out. Franzen, Woodruff, and
Mila Micunovic all contributed on the offensive end in the fourth set, helping Fordham hit .250 en route to a set and match victory.
The Stats
- Johanna Franzen and Bridget Woodruff led the attack for the Rams. Franzen led the team with 13 kills, followed by Woodruff with 12.
- Franzen picked up four service aces in the victory, with three of them coming in quick succession in the second set.
- Lola Fernandez led the team with nine digs.
- As a team, Fordham hit .244.
What's Next?
Fordham will hit the road to face Loyola Chicago in a weekend set. The Rams and Ramblers will face off on Friday, October 30 at 6 p.m, and Saturday, October 31 at 1 p.m. Fordham trails the Ramblers 0-9 in the all-time series. The Rams will hunt for their first-ever win against Loyola Chicago on Halloween weekend.
