Volleyball Surprises JWU in Straight Sets

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – For the second time in program history Suffolk volleyball defeated Johnson & Wales as the Rams swept the Wildcats Thursday night at the Wildcat Center. The 3-0 victory came by set scores 25-17, 25-22 and 25-22. 

The win is Suffolk's second over JWU in program history, first since 1997 and first-ever sweep of the Wildcats by the Rams.  

THE BASICS
SCORE: Suffolk 3 | Johnson & Wales 0
RECORDS: Suffolk (15-4) | Johnson & Wales (7-9)  

SET ONE RECAP (25-17, SUFFOLK)

• Suffolk's early 4-1 edge bloomed into a 12-6 cushion. 
• JWU rallied around a 5-1 run to cut the Rams lead to two, 13-11. 
• The blue-and-gold went on to outscore the host 7-3 to stretch the gap back to six, 20-14. 
• The teams traded points down the stretch and Suffolk went on to claim the opening frame, 25-17. 

SET TWO RECAP (25-22, SUFFOLK)

• Suffolk fell behind four, before it scored five in a row to grab the lead, 5-4. 
• The score tied three times before the Rams snuck in front by three, 10-7. 
• From there, the blue-and-gold's advantage grew to as large as seven, 20-13. 
• The Wildcats attempted a comeback and made things interesting as they cut Suffolk's lead to two, 24-20.
• Emily Norgrove and Isabelle Huzar combined for a block to seal the set for the Rams.  

SET THREE RECAP (25-22, SUFFOLK)

• Suffolk trailed from the get-go and remained in a five-point hole once JWU hit double digits in points, 10-5. 
• The Rams started their climb back with a 5-1 run to slice the deficit to one, 11-10. 
• The Wildcats rebuilt a four-point margin, 19-15, which forced Scott Blanchard to take a timeout. 
• Down three, 21-18, Suffolk scored six unanswered to turn on set and match point in its favor. That rally featured two Chloe Clement kills and an ace by Jayla Martinez. 
• Bailey Koopman broke up the Rams run before Norgrove knocked down her fifth kill of the night to secure the victory for the blue-and-gold. 

STATISTICALLY SPEAKING

• McKenna Keowen had a 13-kill, 12-dig double-double with two assists one ace and one block. 
• Clement contributed nine kills, three digs and two aces. 
• Norgrove finished with five kills, six digs, two blocks and one helper. 
• Martinez set-up Suffolk's attack with 23 assists to go along with 10 digs, two aces, one kill and one block. 
• Morgan Kelsey added 13 digs, three aces and two assists.  

NOTEWORTHY

• Suffolk defeated Johnson & Wales for the second time in program history, first since 1997. 
• The Rams are now 2-28 all-time against JWU. 
• The Rams snapped a 27-match skid versus the Wildcats. 
• Ten straight outings between Suffolk and JWU have been determined in straight sets.
• The Rams swept the Wildcats for the first time to move to 1-22 in 3-0 decisions against JWU. 
• Both of Suffolk's victories over JWU have come in Providence, Rhode Island. 
• The Rams are now 2-15 on the road against the Wildcats. 
• Suffolk is now 1-4 against JUW in the Blanchard era. 
• Keowen had her second double-double in as many matches, eighth of the season and 24th of her collegiate career.
• Norgrove notched a career-high in digs (6) and block assists (2). 
• Martinez logged her fourth collegiate double-double, second of the season. 
• Chloe Burns served the first ace of her collegiate career. 
• Clement matched a personal-best two aces.  

WHAT'S NEXT?
The Rams take the weekend off to prep for their Wednesday, Oct. 9 Conference of New England match versus Western New England. Suffolk welcomes the Golden Bears to Larry E. and Michael S. Smith Court for a 7:00 p.m. match.