Tournament: VCU Invitational
Location: Richmond, Va. (Stuart C. Siegel Center)
Records: VCU 3-1, Radford 1-3
 
The short story: VCU recorded a season-high 13.0 blocks and 15 aces, its most in two decades, to shut down Radford Saturday night at the Stuart C. Siegel Center.
 
OPENING VOLLEY

• Freshman middle blocker Akire Jones was credited with seven blocks, as well as four kills, to spark the Rams defensively
• Junior opposite Parker Hartzell turned in 12 kills and six blocks for the Black and Gold, while hitting .296. Meanwhile, senior outside hitter Ana Brangioni booked another double-double with 11 kills and 15 digs
• Senior middle blocker Jasmine Knight hit .571 with nine kills and five blocks for VCU, while setters AnnaBelle Tomei and Taylor Aguano combined for 44 assists and 10 aces
• Kennedy Robinson paced Radford with 12 kills 

THE DIFFERENCE

• VCU's blocking tipped the match in the Rams' favor. In addition to 13 blocks, compared to the Highlanders' two, the Black and Gold made Radford hitters work overtime, forcing long rally after long rally
• The Rams hit .304 in the match and registered 15 service aces. VCU also owned a 58-53 advantage in digs
• Hartzell piled up six kills, on eight swings, and two blocks in the first set alone as VCU stormed to a 25-17 win. The Rams hit .278 in the frame, while limiting the Highlanders to a .025 mark 

NOTABLE

• The Rams' 15 aces are the most by a VCU team since Sept. 27, 2001, when it recorded 15 against Howard. VCU also registered matches of 18 and 17 aces that season
• VCU has won three straight matches
• Freshman libero Anja Kujundzic supplied 15 digs from the back row for the Rams

NEXT UP
VCU will close out its weekend with a 2 p.m. match against Georgetown on Sunday, Sept. 3 at the Siegel Center.