WILLIMANTIC, Conn. – The Roger Williams University Women's Volleyball team suffered a 2-3 setback to Eastern Connecticut State University Wednesday evening in the team's 2021 opener.
 
Hawk Highlights
Tori Melanson: 17 kills, 3 digs, 3 block assists, 1 service ace
Kate Grabowski: 23 digs, 5 assists, 2 kills
Allie Welch: 17 kills, 3 digs, 3 block assists
Kate Porter: 59 assists, 15 digs, 5 kills, 1 service ace
 
For The Opponents
Meg Verizzi: 50 assists, 15 digs
Anna Barry: 19 kills, 2 digs, 1 solo block, 1 block assists
Abby Stern: 17 kills, 10 digs, 3 service aces
 
How It Happened
Roger Williams came out scoring the first three points of the opening set. ECSU would tie the match at nine before the Hawks came back with four straight points. RWU would hold on to the lead the rest of the way to take the first set 25-18.
 
The Warriors grabbed an early 4-1 lead in the second set before the Hawks claimed a 9-8 lead. The game would be back-and-forth over the next few points before a 6-0 ECSU run turned a 10-12 deficit into a 16-12 lead. The Hawks managed to make it a 20-22 game late in the set but the Warriors scored the final three points for a 25-20 win.
 
In the third set, both sides traded points early on before RWU broke a six-all tie with a 6-2 run. The Hawks would build their lead to six (19-13) en route to the 25-20 win. However, the fourth would be controlled mostly by the Warriors, beginning the set on a 7-4 run. ECSU would go up 12-6, then eventually 17-9. ECSU tied the match 2-2 after taking game four 25-20.
 
In the tiebreaker set, neither side led by more than three points throughout the early part of the game. The Warriors were eventually take a 10-7 lead over the Hawks that ultimately would not give up. RWU made it a 12-13 game, but two straight points from the Warriors would clinch the match.
 
What's Next
Roger Williams (0-1): Saturday, September 4 vs. Wheaton (Mass.) @ 2:00pm
Eastern Conn. St. (1-0): Saturday, September 4 at Farmingdale St. @ 1:00pm