BRISTOL, R.I .- Tuesday night in the Roger Williams University Women's Volleyball season opener, visiting Eastern Connecticut State University defeated the Hawks by a final score of 3-1. Eastern Connecticut State won the opener 25-20 before the Hawks rallied for a 25-21 victory in the second game. After the split, the Warriors took the 25-23 game three win before finishing game in dramatic fashion with their 28-26 triumph.

Kristianna Ibsen (Shelton, Conn.) of Eastern Connecticut State led her team with 21 kills and just five errors on a team high of 48 swings. Teammate Samantha Slonski (Griswold, Conn.) also posted double-digit kills with 15 kills of 47 attempts, and registered the team high of 15 digs.

Senior Kristina Dolan (Glenmont, N.Y.) posted a .450 hitting percentage with nine kills 20 attempts without a single error. Freshman setter Emily Lebowitz (Coventry, Conn.) dished out a team high 27 assists and 11 digs in three games played.

With the match tied at one game a piece, a tight game three included five separate tied scores, with a kill by Ibsen knotting the game at 21 all. The Warriors posted back-to-back points to bring the score of 23-21. RWU stopped the short run, but could not hold serve, giving the Warriors game point. Dolan hammered a kill off a Warrior defender before ECSU was able to get the final kill of the game on the next play.

A determined Hawk squad battled back in game four which included four lead changes early on. The team at one point, stretched the lead to four at 20-16, after a Warrior timeout. Keeping the pressure on, the Hawks had game point at 24-22, but a resilient Warrior team scored consecutive points to tie the game at 24 apiece. Eastern Connecticut State staved off another game point at 25-24 and went on to take the 26-25 lead. After successive side-outs, a Hawk dig attempt sailed just out of bounds, giving the Warriors the 28-26 victory.

The Hawks finished the match with a .165 hitting percentage, surpassing the Warrior's .147. RWU also prevailed in the match with 13 total team blocks, compared to the Warriors' four.

Roger Williams University (0-1) returns to action Friday when they travel to Springfield, Massachusetts for the two-day Springfield College Invitational Tournament.