Rio Grande --- The University of Rio Grande RedStorm volleyball team had a rough end to the week, losing the final four matches of a seven-match stretch in three days. The losses occurred at the Cumberland (TN) Classic on Friday and Saturday. 

Rio Grande (7-8) lost to Martin Methodist in the first match on Friday in four games 12-25, 25-22, 10-25 and 23-25. Freshman middle hitter Erin Sherman (South Webster, OH) led the offense with 13 kills. Junior middle hitter Kati Moore (Lancaster, OH) also reached double figures in kills with 10.

Junior libero Jacquie Whittle (Chillicothe, OH) paced the defense with 19 digs while Sherman added four block assists at the net. Junior setter Ashley Bloom (Columbus, OH) handed out 15 assists while freshman Micah Motes (Chillicothe, OH) added 14 assists.

Rio then lost to host Cumberland (TN) in the second match on Friday that extended to the full five games, 24-26, 25-22, 18-25, 25-22 and 13-15. Sherman and freshman outside hitter Whitney Smith (Albany, OH) pounded 14 kills each in the loss. Junior middle blocker Rachel Walker (Ironton, OH) added seven kills, two blocks and two block assists to the Rio cause. Whittle again led the defensive effort with 24 digs while sophomore defensive specialist Kristen Cassady (Logan, OH) was on the verge of double figures in digs with nine. Kati Moore was also a factor with five block assists.

The duo of Bloom and Motes had 17 and 15 assists respectively.

On Saturday, the RedStorm took on a very good Trevecca Nazarene team and lost in straight sets, 15-25, 8-25 and 20-25.

Sherman again led the way on offense with six kills. Whittle had 10 digs to lead the defense while Cassady followed up with seven digs.

Rio closed out the weekend with a straight set defeat to Bethel (TN), 16-25, 16-25 and 19-25.

Sherman had seven kills and Smith added six to lead the Rio charges while Sherman delivered two solo blocks and three block assists. Smith led in digs with eight, followed by Cassady with six.

Bloom handed out 13 assists and had her jump serve working, as she notched four serve aces. 

The RedStorm ended a busy week at 3-4.

Rio continues it road swing with a jaunt to Wilberforce, Ohio on Tuesday, September 22, to face Central State. The match is set to begin at 7 p.m.

Rio earned a straight set victory over Central State on August 29 at home by scores of 25-14, 25-7 and 25-9. With the win earlier this year, Rio Grande leads Central State 30-2 in the all-time series between the two schools.