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Women's Volleyball

Hawks fall short at Clarkson Invitational

Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 | Box Score 3 BRISTOL, R.I. – Participating in one of the most competitive tournaments in the country on opening weekend, the Roger Williams University Volleyball team began their season at Clarkson University in Alumni Gymnasium.

In their first regular season action, RWU took on the State University of New York at New Paltz who was a New York Region finalist in the NCAA Tournament in 2013. The teams split the opening sets 25-23. The third set was taken by the Hawks 25-16 giving them a 2-1 lead in the match. The fourth set was headed the same direction with the Hawks jumping out to a 17-10 before New Paltz scored a series of quick points to get back in the game. New Paltz seized the momentum and took the 4th before charging back and evening the score to 14-14. The Hawks managed to gain match point but a scrappy New Paltz team managed to pull 17-15 giving RWU their first loss of the season.

The second contest against two- time defending national champions and preseason #1Calvin College, RWU gave a determined effort in a 3-0 loss. In the first set, Calvin took the advantage with a score of 25-22. Through the entire set, RWU and Calvin matched each other kill for kill to put the score at 21-21.A few RWU miscues gave Calvin the opportunity to take the first set. In the second set RWU fell behind by 7, but fought back to a 10-12 score, with kills on almost every player's name. A few costly service errors allowed the Knights to open maintain momentum and finish the set 25-18.

The third and final set saw RWU fall behind early and was never within striking distance.

In RWU final match of the tournament the Hawks were pitted against tournament host #20 Clarkson University the 2013 winner of the NCAA New York Region. The Hawks were a bundle of errors in the first set getting trounced 11-25. In the second set the Hawks rebounded and outpaced Clarkson to take the second set 25-22. Nonetheless the score was once again reversed in the third set; 22-25, Clarkson. RWU and Clarkson kept it exciting in the fourth and final set taking it past regulation before the knight prevailed 28-26. The loss to Clarkson brings the Hawks record to 0-3 on the season.

Coach Ben Somera commented, "We played some very good team this weekend and remained competitive throughout the tournament.  We would of love to come away from the event with a victory but it didn't work out that way.  Playing this level of competition in the preseason gives us an opportunity to identify our weakness and address them.  I liked how our team competed and believe we have the potential to have a great season."

The Hawks return to action on Friday, September 5 for two matches at the Endicott Invitational in Beverly, Mass. The Hawks will compete at 5:00 p.m.to take on the Violets of NYU and at 7:00 p.m. to battle with the Polar Bears of Bowdoin. On Saturday, September 6 the Hawks will square off with the Beavers of Babson College and the Kangaroos of SUNY-Canton at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. respectively.
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