RWU Gets Past Owls, 3-1

BRISTOL, R.I. – The Roger Williams University Women's Volleyball team got back on the winning track Saturday afternoon with a 3-1 victory over Westfield State University Saturday afternoon.

Allie Welch led Roger Williams with 17 kills and 5 digs, while Shawna Crowley paced the Owls with 12 kills and 12 digs.

Roger Williams grabbed the momentum early with a 5-1 run capped off by a pair of Jaime Gaffga aces to begin the game. The Hawks would stretch that lead to 12-3 and was in complete control the whole set. RWU would cruise to a 25-13 win for a 1-0 lead.

The Hawks raced out to another strong lead to open the second set. RWU scored seven of the first eight points of the game and never looked back. The Hawks began the set on a 13-3 run before Westfield State came back with four straight points. Yet the Hawks' advantage was never in doubt, as the team claimed the set 25-12.

Westfield State would come alive in the third set. The Owls jumped out to a 5-0 lead with two kills coming from Bridgette McAndrews (Longmeadow, Mass.). RWU managed to make it a 3-6 game but the Owls came back with five straight points including back-to-back blocks by Sarah Bingham. Westfield State would build the lead to 11 (16-5) and ended the set on a 6-0 run to take the game 25-10.

A Hawk service error and back-to-back aces by McAndrews quickly gave the Owls a 3-0 lead. RWU managed to come back with four straight points, and from there both side battled back and forth. RWU was able to get a little breathing room halfway through the set, taking a 14-9 lead. The Owls made a late rally to tie the match at 22 apiece. However, back-to-back kills by Allie Welch led to a timeout and point game. After the break, Katherine Pickard (St. Petersburg, Fla.) put up a serve that bounced off the net and landed harmlessly away from any Owl defender for the ace and the match.

Ashley Crowley added 10 kills and 6 digs, for the Owls. Julia Dangel-Garcia served up 26 assists with 12 digs, with Jess Haradon totaling. digs, 3 assists, 3 service aces

Katherine Pickard added 11 kills, and 4 service aces, with Kate Porter setting 39 assists,

Roger Williams (3-7)will next play Tuesday, October 5 at Curry at 6:00 p.m.

Westfield State (3-13) will play Tuesday, October 5 at Amherst at 7:00 p.m.

-- recap courtesy RWU sports information