SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – The Roger Williams University Volleyball team dropped its first two matches of the Springfield College Invitational, falling to Westfield State College 2-3, followed by a loss to Brandeis University by the score of 1-3.

The Hawks opened the first match with a 25-21 win, but Westfield State knotted the score to one apiece with a 22-25 win. RWU took game 3 by a score of 25-23 to take a 2-1 lead, but Westfield State forced the deciding game with another 25-23 win. Westfield State would go on to edge the Hawks 15-13 in the final game to escape with the win.

Junior Brittney Sullivan (Nashua, N.H.) and senior Kristina Dolan (Glenmont, N.Y.) each led the Hawks with 13 kills each, while junior Jill Hurd (Sunapee, N.H.) added 31 digs. Senior Caryn Lecca (Ludlow, Mass.) handed out 33 assists in four games with sophomore Natasha Sopchak (Rhinebeck, N.Y.) adding nine kills on 23 attempts with only one error.

In the second match, the Hawks dropped the first set 18-25 to Brandeis before tying the match with a 25-15 win in the second set. The Judges would go on to take games three and four with respective scores of 25-13 and 26-24, securing the victory.

Dolan had an efficient match, with 12 kills on 16 attempts and two errors, while junior Rebekah Dion (Old Saybrook, Conn.) had ten kills with two errors on 26 swings. Freshman Emily Lebowitz (Coventry, Conn.) had 31 assists and ten digs in the match.

RWU has dropped eight sets in its three matches thus far, with five of those determined by just two points. Each of the three deciding sets has been determined by two points, including two needing extra points.

The Hawks return to action Saturday morning with a 10:00 a.m. match against Springfield College, followed by a noon-time meeting with Lasell College