Seahawks fall to JWU, RIC at R.I.A.I.A.W. Championships

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - The Roger Williams women's volleyball team earned wins over Johnson & Wales (3-2) and Rhode Island College (3-1) en route to the unofficial Rhode Island State Championship at the annual R.I. Invitational, hosted by Rhode Island College on Saturday afternoon. The Ocean State's four Div. III women's volleyball squads took part in the meet.

Roger Williams increases its current win streak to seven matches, while raising its overall record to 14-8. Both Rhode Island College (13-11) and Johnson & Wales (11-13) went 1-1 on the day, while Salve Regina (7-14) went 0-2.

In the championship match, The Hawks came back from a 2-1 deficit to win, 3-2 (12-25, 25-18, 22-25, 25-22, 15-12). Freshman outside hitter Kelsey Twarog (Barkhamsted, CT) totaled 17 kills, while senior middle hitter Kristina Dolan (Glenmont, NY) posted 11 winners. Freshman setter Emily Lebowitz (Coventry, RI) registered 45 assists, while junior libero Jill Hurd (Sunapee, NH) made 24 digs. Junior middle hitter Rebekah Dion (Old Saybrook, CT) made five blocks and was credited with four service aces.

Johnson & Wales junior outside hitter Catherine Bravo (Toa Baja, Puerto Rico) and sophomore middle blocker Audrey Warren (Haverhill, MA) each posted 12 kills in a losing effort. Freshman setter Kasey Higgins (Wallingford, CT) handed out 37 assists, while Bravo led the squad with 14 digs.

The consolation match also went five sets, with Rhode Island College prevailing, 3-2 (25-18, 21-25, 19-25, 25-16, 15-6). Freshman outside hitter Breanna Boyer (West Greenwich, RI) posted a match-high 18 kills and contributed 13 digs. Freshman middle blocker Kalyn Archer (Warwick, RI) registered 15 kills and made seven blocks. Senior outside hitter Sharon Corriveau (Coventry, RI) chipped in with nine kills and 10 digs, while freshman setter Jessica Ho (Providence, RI) recorded 24 assists. Junior opposite April Oberhelman (Woonsocket, RI) had seven kills and a team-high 20 digs.

Senior outside hitter Deanna Salter (Westwood, MA) led the Seahawks with 14 kills. Sophomore outside hitter Kelly Munger (Milford, MA) had 16 digs, while the setter tandem of sophomore Jessica Meyer (Seymour, CT) and junior Lisa Zabel (Madison, CT) totaled 38 assists (20, 18).

In first round action, Roger Williams pulled away in the third and fourth sets to defeat Rhode Island College, 3-1 (25-21, 28-30, 25-16, 25-19). Dolan paced the Hawks' attack with 16 kills. Dion was dominant at the net, recording 11 total blocks and 10 winners. Lebowitz handed out 42 assists.

For the Anchorwomen, Archer posted 12 kills, while Boyer and junior outside hitter Tess Heidel (Warwick, RI) each registered 11 winners. Boyer also had 10 digs, while Ho handed out 28 assists.

In the other first round match, Johnson & Wales shut out Salve Regina, 3-0 (25-18, 25-17, 28-26). Bravo posted 14 kills, while Warren was six off the pace for the Wildcats. Higgins set up 30 winners, while junior right side hitter Samantha Cureton (West Chester, PA) recorded 10 digs.

Salter and classmate middle hitter Natalie Rubenoff (New Hartford, CT) led the Salve Regina offense with nine and six kills, respectively. Meyer had 10 assists, sophomore middle hitter Julianne Barry (Randolph, MA) had six blocks and freshman defensive specialist Megan Clancy (Chelmsford, MA) recorded 19 digs.

In upcoming action, Rhode Island College will host Lasell on Tuesday Oct. 13. RWU will host the University of New England on Wednesday, Oct. 14. SRU will host Anna Maria on Wednesday, Oct. 14, while the Wildcats will host Simmons and Mt. Ida for a tri-match on Oct. 13.

Courtesy of Rhode Island College sports information