BRISTOL, R.I. – The Roger Williams University women's volleyball team swept Norwich, 3-0 (25-7, 25-14, 25-14), Saturday afternoon in the Campus Rec Center Gymnasium on Senior Day.
Prior to the match the Hawks celebrated their three graduating seniors in
Ava Mattiucci (North Kingstown, R.I.)
, Hailey Brasseur (Barrington, N.H.), and
Taylor Joyner (Ashburn, Va.).
Angela West (Riverview, Fla.) led the team with nine kills in the match and had four blocks to lead the Hawks. Mattiucci led the team in both aces and assists, while Brasseur and
Marianna Hernandez (Norwalk, Conn.) each had six digs.
For the Cadets' Charlotte Johnson had four kills, with Abby Kanaga earning three. Lillie Ells had three kills and a pair of aces, while Ava Nihill had 13 assists, with Autumn Parkhurst leading the defense with eight digs.
The Hawks opened the match, scoring the opening seven points of the match, forcing an early timeout from the Cadets. After the Hawks took a 9-0 lead off seven aces by Mattiucci. The Cadets then responded with a pair of points off an attack error by the Hawks and a kill, by Grace Davie. Roger Williams led 10-3, before another five-point run led to take a commanding 15-3 lead, taking control on their way to the set victory.
In the second set, the set was tied, 1-1, but a pair of kills and an ace by
Lily Winsten (Rockledge, Fla.) gave the Hawks a 4-1 advantage. The Cadets pulled within one after a service ace of their own, but the Hawks then scored four of the next five points to take an 8-4 lead. Roger Williams led 19-13 before rattling of six of the final seven points of the set.
In the final set, the Hawks jumped out to an 11-5 lead, but the Cadets managed a three point run to pull within three. The Hawks then tallied five straight to double up Norwich, 16-8. Norwich was able to score six more points, but were unable to overcome the Hawks on their way to the sweep.
Roger Williams (11-10, 2-2 CNE) will return to action on Saturday, Oct. 19 at 12:00 pm when they host Gordon for Conference of New England (CNE) play for Homecoming & Family Weekend. The Hawks will then host the Hawks of Hartford on Saturday, Oct. 26 at 1:00 pm for a CNE match.
