October 26, 2009
RedStorm volleyball goes 1-2 in Houston

Houston, Tx. --- The University of Rio Grande RedStorm volleyball team traveled to Houston, TX to play three matches this weekend. Rio came away winning one match and dropping two. The first match had Rio facing off with Loyola University and losing in four games, 12-25, 13-25, 25-19 and 17-25. On Saturday, the RedStorm defeated Embry-Riddle, 23-25, 22-25, 25-23, 25-23 and 15-11 and then lost to St. Thomas University, 20-25, 22-25 and 25-27.

Rio Grande (13-17) was led by freshman outside hitter Whitney Smith (Albany, OH) in the opening loss to Loyola. Smith posted nine kills and 14 digs to go along with 14-for-14 serving with a pair of aces and two block assists. Freshman middle hitter Erin Sherman (South Webster, OH) added seven kills, but had a field day blocking the ball as she registered nine block assists.   

Junior middle blocker Rachel Walker (Ironton, OH) added six kills and four block assists while junior middle hitter Kati Moore (Lancaster, OH) contributed six kills and a pair of solo blocks. Freshman outside hitter Erin Moore (South Webster, OH) notched five kills in the losing effort.

Junior libero Jacquie Whittle (Chillicothe, OH) paced the defense with 21 digs while sophomore defensive specialist Kristen Cassady (Logan, OH) added 12 digs. Whittle and Cassady were both solid in serving the ball as well as they combined to go 22-for-22. 

Junior setter Ashley Bloom (Columbus, OH) handed out 14 assists and freshman setter Micah Motes (Chillicothe, OH) added 12 assists to the Rio cause. 

On Saturday, Rio had to come off the mat to win the match in a full five games. After dropping two close sets, the RedStorm won three straight to capture the win over Embry-Riddle. 

Smith was the big hitter for the RedStorm with 14 kills. She also produced five serve aces and had 20 digs on the defensive side of the net. Sherman was right behind Smith with 13 kills and also contributed three solo blocks and four block assists. 

Rio also received offensive production from Kati Moore (nine kills) and Walker (seven kills). Moore and Walker contributed with valuable blocks as well as Moore's line read two solos and one block assist and Walker had one solo and two block assists. 

Whittle again led in digs with 21 while Cassady recorded 18 and Bloom notched 10.

Bloom led the way with 25 assists while Motes added 17. 

Rio played well versus St. Thomas, but could not break through as the RedStorm dropped three closely contested sets. 

Smith was again the kill leader with 10. Walker added nine kills and Sherman posted six. Walker had two solo blocks and one block assists while Sherman and Kati Moore registered two solos each. 

Whittle topped the defense with 22 digs, followed by Bloom with 15, Smith 14 and Cassady 12. Smith also delivered two serve aces while going 14-for-15 in the match. 

Bloom distributed 22 assists. 

Rio Grande is back home on Monday night to face Mountain State at 7 p.m. at the Newt Oliver Arena. Rio defeated Mountain State on the road earlier this season by scores of 27-25, 25-20 and 25-23.