By Devin Adams
Fordham Volleyball returned home to the Bronx this weekend to face a pair of tough Atlantic 10 opponents. The Rams kicked off the weekend on Friday, Oct. 30, with a match against Saint Louis University, which is currently second in the conference standings.
The first set opened up with back and forth scoring by both teams before the Rams rode a five-point scoring streak fueled by three aces from sophomore Grace Muller. The team held an early 8-5 lead. Saint Louis fought back in the set before tying the first frame at 16. The Rams then fell behind and were unable to regain the lead, dropping the first set 25-22. The second set was tied at two when the offense for Saint Louis exploded to go on an eight point scoring streak to lead 10-2. Fordham kept fighting, but was unable to overcome the deficit, and dropped the second set 25-13 to Saint Louis.
The Rams came out determined in the third set, trading points with the Billikens and taking an early 9-7 lead. The Rams later held an 18-16 lead in the set, but the Saint Louis offense again took control and went on a five point scoring streak to go ahead 21-18. Fordham was again unable to overcome the deficit and lost the set 25-23, concluding the match after being swept 3-0. Freshman Breanna Jones led the team with 10 kills, while Muller led the team with three aces and junior Kristen Ostach added four blocks. Sophomore Emily Fronk led with 25 assists and senior Brennan Delsing had a team-high 12 digs.
The tough opposition continued for the Rams who played the league-leading University of Dayton Flyers on Saturday, Oct. 31, in the Rose Hill Gym. The first set began and the Flyers jumped out to a quick 11-5 lead on the Rams. Fordham did not fade in the set, though. The Rams got within two, trailing 20-18, before the Flyers put the set away, winning the frame 25-19.
The Rams came out fighting in the second set, but again riding several scoring streaks, the Flyers took the second set 25-15 over the Rams. Fordham came out focused in the third set, jumping out to an early 5-1 lead. After answering with a scoring streak of their own, the Flyers tied the set at eight.
Unfortunately for the Rams, the Flyers offense dominated the rest of the third set, taking it 25-11 over the Rams and taking the match 3-0. Freshman Olivia LaPorta led the team with five kills and two aces, freshman Natalie Martinez added two blocks, Fronk led with 17 assists and Delsing added nine digs.
The Rams’ next opponent is the University of Rhode Island at the Rose Hill Gym on Saturday, Nov. 7. This match will be the last home contest of the season for the Rams.
