Score: VCU 3, Rhode Island 1 (21-25, 25-11, 25-17, 25-16)
Location: Richmond, Va. (Siegel Center)
Records: VCU 8-8 (3-1 Atlantic 10), Rhode Island 4-13 (0-4)
 
The short story: Junior middle blocker Jasmine Knight tied a season-high with 15 kills as VCU surged past Rhode Island Saturday at the Siegel Center.
 
OPENING VOLLEY

• Knight hit .400 in the match on 30 attempts. She was also key to VCU's 12-block effort at the net with three rejections
• Senior outside hitter Qairo Bentley supplied another all-around effort for the Black and Gold with 11 kills, 20 digs and three blocks, while junior outside hitter Ana Brangioni chipped in with 11 kills, eight digs and a pair of aces
• Sophomore setter Corinna Jones steered the VCU offense with 35 assists, as well as 14 digs and three kills
• Claire Wagner and Brynne Wright led Rhody with 10 kills a piece 

THE DIFFERENCE

• VCU turned up the intensity in the second set and didn't let up the rest of the night. VCU dropped the first set 25-21, but hit .366 in the second and .417 in the fourth as the Black and Gold dominated the latter part of the match
• VCU hit .211 overall, while Rhode Island registered a .078 mark
• The Black and Gold dominated in most statistical categories, posting a 12-3 advantage in blocks and a 76-68 edge in digs 

NOTABLE

• VCU completed a two-match weekend sweep of Rhode Island and has now won 11 straight matches in the series, a streak that dates back to 2017
• Jones enjoyed one of her most prolific weekends in a VCU uniform, averaging 8.78 assists, 4.33 digs and 1.11 kills per set in two matches
• VCU averaged 2.33 blocks per set on the weekend
• VCU junior middle blocker Sarah Stratton added six blocks and six kills in Saturday's win

NEXT UP
VCU will hit the road to face Davidson on Tuesday, Oct. 4 at 5 p.m. at Belk Arena in Davidson, N.C.