WALTHAM, Mass. — The Roger Williams University women's volleyball team opened its 2025 season on Friday evening with a 3-1 loss to host Brandeis University on the first day of the Brandeis Invitational at Red Auerbach Arena.

Roger Williams (0-1, 0-0 CNE) came out strong, taking the opening set 25-21 behind an efficient offensive effort, but Brandeis (1-1, 0-0 UAA) responded by winning the next three sets 25-19, 25-22, and 25-20 to secure the victory.

Brandeis hit .275 as a team, finishing with 58 kills and just 16 errors on 153 total attacks while adding six total blocks and four service aces. Roger Williams posted a .203 hitting percentage with 47 kills, 17 errors, and 148 attempts, recording seven block assists and nine service aces on the night.

For the Judges, outside hitter Anna Ertischek led the way with 16 kills and three block assists, while Kennedy Lilly added 13 kills on a .433 hitting percentage. Madison Haft-Abromovitch chipped in 13 kills, and middle hitter Collette Ejang was efficient with nine kills on a .500 clip along with three block assists. Setter Alexa Ho directed the offense with 37 assists and a service ace, and libero Isabella Irizarry paced the defense with 16 digs.

For the Hawks, Kaylee Jackson led the offense with 15 kills on a .324 hitting percentage, while Peyton Felix added seven kills, three service aces, and three block assists, and a solo block. Izzy Unsworth tallied nine kills and four aces, and Kaydence Fish contributed eight kills and a team-high four block assists.

Defensively, Marianna Hernandez anchored the back row with 20 digs, while setter Ava McGonagle dished out 36 assists and chipped in two service aces and five digs in her collegiate debut. As a team, RWU finished with 59 digs, 12 block assists, and nine service aces.

Roger Williams continues play at the Brandeis Invitational on Saturday, August 30, with two matches on the schedule. The Hawks open the day against WPI at 11:00 a.m. before facing MIT later in the afternoon.