Score: VCU 3, Rhode Island 0 (25-19, 25-17, 25-20)
Location: Richmond, Va. (Siegel Center)
Record: VCU 6-8 (2-0 Atlantic 10), Rhode Island 8-8 (0-1)
 
The short story: Junior outside hitter Qairo Bentley and sophomore middle blocker Jasmine Knight combined for 20 kills as VCU thumped Atlantic 10 Conference rival Rhode Island Saturday night.
 
OPENING VOLLEY

• Bentley spiked 10 kills and dug four balls while hitting .227 for the Black and Gold. Knight did not commit an error in 17 attempts and hit .588 with 10 kills. She also recorded a pair of blocks
• VCU senior libero Alyna Draper solidified the Rams' defense with 18 digs on the back row
• Sophomore middle blocker Kylie Loftis added nine kills and two blocks, while hitting .444 for VCU
• Brittany Myers led all players with 11 kills for Rhode Island

THE DIFFERENCE

• Rhode Island could not slow down the VCU offense. The Black and Gold hit .321 on the night, including .378 in the opening frame
• VCU trailed just twice, early in the first and second sets, on the evening
• VCU also owned a 50-36 edge in digs

NOTABLE

• Senior setter Dani Jo David doled out 21 assists and surpassed 1,000 for her career
• VCU Head Coach Jody Rogers moved within one win of tying Wendy Wadsworth (169) for career victories with the Black and Gold
• VCU improved to 50-3 in regular season A-10 play since 2017. VCU has defeated Rhode Island eight straight times

NEXT UP
VCU will close out the weekend when it hosts Saint Louis on Sunday, Sept. 26 at 1 p.m. at the Stuart C. Siegel Center