October 14, 2009

RedStorm sweep away WVU Tech

Montgomery, Wv. --- The University of Rio Grande RedStorm volleyball team was able to get back on the winning side of the ledger on Tuesday evening with an impressive sweep of WVU Tech, winning 25-8, 25-9 and 25-7.

Rio Grande (11-11, 7-4 MSC) received a big night from junior setter Ashley Bloom. The Columbus, OH native punished the WVU Tech defense with eight serve aces, the highest total for a RedStorm player since Ali Mahon set the team mark with 12 in a match last year versus Central State.   Bloom also recorded 17 assists.

Freshman middle hitter Erin Sherman (South Webster, OH) and freshman outside hitter Whitney Smith (Albany, OH) led Rio in hitting with nine kills each.  Smith also did damage serving the ball as she notched six aces on the evening while Sherman tallied three. As a team, Rio produced 22 aces on the night, one short of the top mark set in that Central State match last season. 

Fellow freshman Tresa Swatzel (Athens, OH) registered five kills in the match.

Junior libero Jacquie Whittle (Chillicothe, OH) led the defense with nine digs and Smith recorded six. 

WVU Tech remains winless on the season at 0-11 overall and 0-7 in MSC play. 

Rio Grande moved to 7-0 all-time versus WVU Tech, including a victory earlier this season, at home by scores of 25-11, 25-6 and 25-14.

With the victory, Rio Grande keeps a firm grip on third place in the Mid-South Conference and sets up a crucial doubleheader match versus the University of Cumberlands (KY) on Friday night at the Newt Oliver Arena. Cumberlands is currently sitting at 4-3 in the MSC in fourth place. 

The first match is set for 5 p.m. The second match will begin at approximately 6:30 p.m.