BRISTOL, R.I. – Rylie Eisenhard (Pottstown, Pa.) recorded 16 kills in her collegiate debut as the Roger Williams University Women's Volleyball team opened its 2026 season with a 3-1 (25-23, 25-13, 22-25, 25-18) victory over Salve Regina on Tuesday evening at the Paolino Recreation Center.
For the Hawks, Eisenhard led the offense with 16 kills on a .387 hitting percentage while adding three block assists. Peyton Felix (Burnt Hills, N.Y.) contributed nine kills, eight service aces and a match-high 12 digs, while Ava Lombardo (Newtown, Conn.) directed the offense with 28 assists and completed a double-double with 10 digs.
At the net, Angela West (Riverview, Fla.) led RWU with two solo blocks and five block assists, while Kaydence Fish (Bedford, N.H.) contributed four total blocks. The Hawks finished with an 11-4 advantage in team blocks, held an 11-6 edge in service aces and limited Salve Regina to a .116 hitting percentage.
For the Seahawks, Anouk Jansen led the offense with 15 kills on a .237 hitting percentage and added 11 digs. Jenna DeFrancesco recorded 11 kills on a .250 clip, while Lauren Shurling finished with nine kills, three service aces and six digs. Kalena Stavish and Sydney Hanlon shared the setting duties with 23 and 20 assists, respectively.
Roger Williams built an early 7-1 lead in the opening set before the Seahawks rallied to take a 21-19 advantage. The Hawks answered by scoring six of the final eight points, receiving late service aces from Samantha Devino (Yorktown Heights, N.Y.) and Marianna Hernandez (Norwalk, Conn.) to secure a 25-23 win.
RWU never trailed in the second set and pulled away after Salve Regina trimmed the margin to 7-6. The Hawks hit .290 and recorded five blocks in the frame, closing the set on a 7-1 run for a 25-13 victory.
The Seahawks avoided the sweep in the third set. Roger Williams erased a three-point deficit and moved ahead 22-21, but Salve Regina scored the final four points to take the frame, 25-22.
The Hawks responded by scoring the first eight points of the fourth set behind Felix's serve. RWU extended its advantage to 20-10 before finishing off the match with a 25-18 victory. Eisenhard registered five kills in the final set, while Felix delivered four of her eight aces.
Roger Williams (1-0, 0-0 CNE) returns to action Friday when it hosts the opening day of the RWU Invitational. The Hawks will face Neumann at 4 p.m. before taking on Plymouth State at 7 p.m.
