Beckley, W.Va., --- The University of Rio Grande RedStorm volleyball team went on the road for the first time in 2010 and came away with a hard-fought, tightly contested, straight set victory over Mountain State, 25-19, 25-21 and 25-23.

Rio Grande (2-4) was led by sophomore middle hitter Erin Sherman (South Webster, OH) with 13 kills, one solo block and four block assists. Junior middle hitter Kati Moore (Lancaster, OH) added eight kills and two block assists and sophomore outside hitter Whitney Smith (Albany, OH) delivered eight kills in the match.

Senior setter Ashley Bloom (Worthington, OH) had a big night, handing out 23 assists and delivering nine serve aces. 

Freshman libero Nicole Ogg (Albany, OH) led the defense with six digs. Ogg also went 8-for-8 serving. 

Other notable performances in the match for the RedStorm: senior outside hitter Rachel Walker (Ironton, OH), six kills and three block assists, freshman setter Kelsey Martin (Jackson, OH) went 8-for-8 serving and posted four digs and freshman outside hitter Cindy Willis (Athens, OH) went 7-for-8 serving. 

Rio Grande improves to 15-3 all-time versus the Cougars and has now won the last three matches in the series. 

Mountain State falls to 2-4 with the loss. 

Rio Grande will travel to Pikeville College on Monday (September 6) to resume Mid-South Conference play. Game time is set for 6 p.m. The RedStorm return home, September 9 for a non-conference match with Central State at 6 p.m. 

The CSU match can be seen in a live video stream on iHigh.com.