Volleyball Opens GNAC Play with Tri-Match at St. Joseph vs. Norwich

BOSTON – The Suffolk volleyball team opens GNAC action Saturday afternoon with its first tri-match of the 2015 season at Saint Joseph's College. The Rams will first take on Norwich at 2 p.m., before facing the hosts' Monks at 4 p.m. at the Harold Alfond Center. 

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LAST TIME OUT
In its second match of the week, the Suffolk women's volleyball team hung with Bridgewater State, but was unable to hold on for victory as the Bears took the match, 3-0, at the Tinsley Center Thursday night. Bridgewater won the match in straight sets thanks to set score of 25-16, 25-22 and 25-23.

Talia Lombardo played an all-around game for the Rams, as the first-year contributed six kills, three aces and 13 digs. Bridget Allison chipped in eight kills for Suffolk, while Liz Kerek handled the setting duties with 16 handouts. Defensively, Emma Feeney provided 16 digs, while Chindera Nwankwo and Jane Buckley turned in three and two blocks, respectively. Nwankwo also provided three kills on the offensive side of the net.

MORE READING: Volleyball Stopped at Bridgewater State

RUNDOWN ON THE RAMS
Suffolk has split its two-match week to carry a 1-2 record into Saturday's tri-match. The Rams notched their first victory of the season with a sweep over Mass. Maritime, before falling to Bridgewater State, 3-0.

Bridget Allison boasts a 2.25 kps average with Talia Lombardo's 2.22 kps falling right behind as the first-year duo lead Suffolk's attack. Liz Kerek has been the Rams main setter with 5.00 aps with Cailtyn Mcokler dishing out 2.25 aps. The Rams defense is led by Emma Feeney's 3.56 dps.

SERVING UP ACES
Suffolk scored 19 aces in a straight set victory over Massachusetts Maritime, marking the most aces for a Rams' squad since 2011. Freshman Talia Lombardo tallied eight aces in the victory, the most for a Ram since Melissa Griffin '12 served that number in a 3-1 victory over Eastern Nazarene September 22, 2011.

CATCH UP ON THE CADETS
Norwich enters play Saturday with a 1-2 overall record after picking up a 3-2 win over Green Mount.  Tara Lyons has led the Cadets attack with 2.08 kps while Emily Oliver (1.67) and Alex Ruediger (1.67) have each notched over 1.00 kps with Katherine Crane (5.08 aps) handling setting duties. Lyons and McKaylee Pittman lead Norwich at the net with 0.50 bps and 0.33 bps, respectively, and Kristen Brewer adds to the defensive effort with 4.83 dps.

#RAMSFANFEST
Suffolk fans are invited to be a part of history Saturday, Sept. 12 as the Rams host their first soccer doubleheader at its new home turf, East Boston Memorial Park. The first Rams Fan Fest kicks off with a celebratory ceremony of Suffolk's partnership with East Boston before the women's soccer team hosts Lasell at 1:45 p.m., followed by the men's team battling Mount Ida at 4:30 p.m. The event begins at 12:30 p.m.

LOOKING AHEAD
Suffolk closes its six-game match swing Tuesday, Sept. 15 at Wentworth in a 7 p.m. match.