Box Score Score: VCU 3, Davidson 1 (22-25, 26-24, 25-20, 25-18)
Location: Richmond, Va. (Siegel Center)
Records: VCU 9-7 (1-0 A-10), Davidson 4-10 (0-1 A-10)
The short story: VCU outsides Vicky Giommarini and Julia Adler combined for 25 kills, and the Rams used a dramatic rally late in the second to propel them past Davidson in their Atlantic 10 Conference opener Saturday.
OPENING VOLLEY
- Giommarini led all players with 13 kills and hit .310 with nine digs. Adler was equally as impressive, spiking 12 kills while hitting .320. She was also involved in three of the Rams' 12 blocks.
- VCU's defense shined, limiting the Wildcats to a hitting percentage of just .064. In the final set, VCU held Davidson to six kills and a -.100 hitting percentage on the way to a 25-18 win.
- Libero Rebekah Strange continued to rack up digs. She recorded 25 more Saturday, including seven in the critical second set.
- VCU hit .205 as setters Tyler Sroufe and Dajah Ard, both freshmen, combined for 46 assists.
- Sophomore middle Tori Baldwin returned from injury with eight blocks for VCU.
- Mikayla Derochie paced Davidson with five kills, six blocks and 11 digs.
THE DIFFERENCE
- VCU was staring at a potential 2-0 deficit before coming alive just in time. Trailing 24-21 in the second set, VCU scored five straight points – including back-to-back kills by Adler and a service ace by Giommarini – to capture a stunning 26-24 victory.
- From there, the Rams maintained a semblance of control. Giommarini registered six kills on nine swings in the third as VCU jumped out to a 15-10 lead. The Wildcats eventually tied the score at 19-19, only to watch the Rams close with a 5-1 burst.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Strange's effort Saturday was her seventh match this season with 20 or more digs. She's recorded double-digit digs in 15 of VCU's 16 matches.
- VCU improved to 5-0 at home this season.
WHAT'S NEXT
- VCU will travel to Princess Anne, Maryland on Tuesday, Sept. 27, where it will face off with Maryland-Eastern Shore in non-conference play.
