Women’s Volleyball Ends Home Slate With Win Against Rhode Island

Loyola women’s volleyball defeated the University of Rhode Island Nov. 7 in Gentile Arena. In the four-set match, fourth-year middle blocker Ann Marie Remmes recorded 14 kills while Rams’ second-year middle blocker Havyn Rolle tabbed 12 kills for Rhode Island.

The first set started with a ball-handling error by third-year Rams middle blocker Chloe Abuto, followed by traded kills from third-year middle blocker Avary DeBlieck and Abuto. A kill from Rolle brought the score to an even two.

A missed serve from Rhode Island third-year setter Ema Stermenska followed an out-of-bounds hit from DeBlieck. First-year outside hitter and defensive specialist Leyna Nguyen hit back-to-back kills before a bad set by Rhode Island’s second-year defensive specialist Dakota Henry brought the score to 5-4 in favor of the Ramblers.

After a block by redshirt second-year Rams outside hitter McKenna Melton, an error and kill from graduate setter Josie Halbleib brought the set to a tie at six. Rhode Island’s first-year middle blocker Hannah Jonick and Rolle blocked a ball, and Jonick recorded a kill before second-year outside and right side hitter Kate Maley and Remmes grabbed kills, making the score eight apiece.

A kill from Abuto and an error from Melton preceded back-to-back kills from Rams’ fourth-year right-side hitter Aerin Bowman and third-year Rhode Island defensive specialist Sydney Houchens. Rhode Island’s fourth-year defensive specialist Ryleigh Powers missed a serve, putting the ball back in Rambler possession. 

Despite a missed serve from Remmes, the Ramblers maintained momentum with two kills from Burke, bringing the set to a tie at 12. A kill from Rolle and an ace from Stermenska put the Rams back in the lead, but kills from Burke, Nguyen and Maley had the Ramblers racing to a 15-14 lead. 

Following consecutive kills from Houchen and Rolle, DeBlieck and Nguyen blocked a pass from the Rams. Errors from Stermenska and Rolle had Rhode Island’s momentum sputtering to a stop. An ace from second-year libero Sam Falk was negated by a kill from Rolle. First-year middle blocker and outside hitter Karli Molnau, Remmes, Melton and Nguyen all logged kills, widening the Loyola lead to 22-18.

Burke’s kill was followed by a service error from Nguyen, but even with an error by Burke, the Rams couldn’t capitalize on their possession. The set ended 25-20 in the Ramblers’ favor after kills from third-year setter Emma Henry and Burke.

The second set started with kills from Remmes and Nguyen, followed by a block from Remmes and Henry. A service error by Nguyen gave the Rams possession, and an error from Burke allowed Rhode Island to close in on the 3-2 Rambler lead. 

Remmes tabbed a kill, but it was negated by her missed serve. Kills from Burke and Maley, along with three aces from Henry extended the Loyola lead to 9-3. There were two more aces from Henry, but a block from Jonick stopped the Rambler’s scoring streak. Two kills from Burke and Nguyen were followed by a kill from Rolle, bringing the score up to 13-5. 

A kill from Nguyen was challenged by Rhode Island, and the ball was called out of bounds, giving the point to the Rams. After the Ramblers fought back with a kill from DeBlieck, Jonick and Remmes traded attack errors. A block and kill from Remmes extended the Ramblers’ lead to 17-7. 

Back-to-back kills from Molnau and Remmes were followed by an error and kill from Molnau, and a net violation by Rams’ redshirt second-year outside hitter Emma Vente followed. Nguyen recorded another ace, but a block by Abuto and Bowman gave the ball over to the Rams.

Remmes recorded another kill, but it was followed by a team attack error. A kill from Burke and an error from Rams’ second-year right-side hitter Erika Bracey gave the Ramblers a 25-10 victory in the second set. 

The third set started with an ace from second-year Rhode Island setter Kiera McCarles and a kill from Burke. A block from Melton and Abuto put the Rams ahead, but DeBlieck and Burke responded with kills of their own. DeBlieck and Abuto traded kills, along with Rolle, before a net violation by Maley gave another point to the Rams, making the score 5-4. 

DeBlieck and Bowman traded kills before an ace by Stermenska, which was negated on a net violation from Bracey. A missed service by Falk gave the Rams the ball, which resulted in a kill by Houchens. Maley and Melton swapped kills before another kill from Molnau gave the Ramblers momentum. Kills by Remmes and Nguyen were recorded before another Remmes kill was challenged. 

The call was reviewed on account of no-touch from the Rams, and the point went to Rhode Island, bringing them to an 11-10 lead. Consecutive kills from Abuto and Melton were followed by a kill from Remmes and an error by Burke. Bowman recorded three kills, which DeBlieck responded to with a kill and a block of her own. 

Bowman and DeBlieck traded kills again before a block from DeBlieck and two kills from Rolle and Houchens, bringing the Rams to a 20-15 lead. A missed serve from Stermenska landed in favor of the Ramblers, but two kills from Bracey extended the Rhode Island lead. Remmes responded with two points from her kills before Rolle and Remmes traded kills. 

A block from Abuto and Bracey got the Rams to set point, but kills from Nguyen, Burke and DeBlieck, along with an ace from Remmes, threatened their lead. A final kill from Melton gave the 25-23 set three victory to Rhode Island. 

The fourth set started with two aces from second-year libero Jae Fitting, followed by an error by Abuto, a block by Remmes and another ace from Fitting. A block from Abuto and Melton, along with a kill from Rolle tightened the 5-2 gap. A kill from Remmes and an error by Melton extended the Rambler lead, but a missed serve from Nguyen and an error from Remmes shortened it again. 

An ace by Stermenska was followed by an error from Rolle and a kill and block from DeBlieck. The Ramblers responded to a kill from Rolle and an ace from Melton with three kills of their own — two from Burke and one from Maley. Attack errors from Bracey and Rolle added to the 15-7 Rambler lead. 

Another error by Houchens was negated by a kill from Rolle, but a second Houchens error added a point to the Ramblers’ tally. Two blocks from Nguyen were followed by her hitting out of bounds, and an ace from McCarles brought the score to 19-10. 

Another block from DeBlieck and an error from Bowman strengthened the Loyola lead. Maley and Bowman swapped blocks, but the set ended with two kills from Molnau and one from Remmes, securing the win for the Ramblers 25-11. 

Head coach Amanda Berkley said the team did well with their serving and distributing their offense. 

“I thought we did a good job,” Berkeley said. “[Remmes] found ways to score, and she’s getting some more attempts. I’m just proud of the team for getting back in the win column.”

The Ramblers finish their conference play in Fairfax, Va., against George Mason University Nov. 14-15. The matches are set to start at 5 p.m. and 1 p.m.