BRISTOL, Mass. – The Roger Williams University women's volleyball team defeated Colby-Sawyer, 3-0 (25-12, 25-9, 25-20), in the season opener, and their first match at the RWU Invitational.
 
The Hawks hit a combined .216 while holding their opponents to -.203. The Hawks had two players hit .429 with Taylor Joyner (Ashburn, Va.) and Jillian Smith (New Milford, Conn.) each hitting the team high mark. Lily Winsten (Rockledge, Fla.) and Peyton Felix (Burnt Hills, N.Y.) each had six kills, while Ava Mattiucci (North Kingstown, R.I.) had a team high 25 assists.
 
On the defensive end, Marianna Hernandez (Norwalk, Conn.) led the squad with 14 digs and Brianna Picchietti (Batavia, Ill.) was in on three blocks.
 
After the Hawks jumped out to an 4-0 lead after, a service ace by Mattiucci, the Hawks extended their lead to six. After Colby-Sawyer closed the gap to four, Roger Williams went on a seven-point run taking control of the first set.
 
In set two, the Hawks took an early 11-1 advantage, before they continued to use runs to take a 25-9 win in set two. 
 
In the final set, Colby-Sawyer had a 10-9 lead, before Roger Williams rattled off six straight points to take a 15-10 advantage. Colby-Sawyer closed the gap to one at 17-16, but were unable to overtake the Hawks who held on for a 25-20 third set win.'
 
Roger Williams (1-0, 0-0 CCC) will play Regis and Clark in the second day of the RWU Invitational. The Hawks will then travel to Tufts on Tuesday, Sept. 5 at 6:00 pm.  They will then take on UMass Dartmouth and Wheaton on Friday, Sept. 8.