Score: VCU 3, Rhode Island 2 (25-16, 23-25, 24-26, 25-19, 15-13)
Location: Kingston, R.I. (Keaney Gymnasium)
Records: VCU 8-7 (6-1 Atlantic 10), Rhode Island 3-16 (0-7)
 
The short story: Senior Julia Rienks and junior Nina Boledovicova combined for 29 kills and 10 blocks as VCU withstood a stiff challenge by host Rhode Island Sunday at Keaney Gymnasium.
 
OPENING VOLLEY

• For the second straight day, Boledovicova led the Black and Gold with 15 kills. She also supplied five blocks, while hitting .256 on 39 attempts
• Rienks added 14 kills and five blocks, while hitting .250
• Senior Kalina Pylinska spiked nine kills and served up eight aces for VCU, while freshman Sarah Dibbs-Frantz and sophomore Letizia Galli chipped in with eight kills. Dibbs-Frantz also supplied eight blocks
• Aerin Bowman paced Rhody with 12 kills 

THE DIFFERENCE

• VCU trailed for much of the fifth-set tiebreaker, including 10-7 at one point. But a Boledovicova block and kill sparked a 4-1 burst to tie the score at 11-11. A short time later, back-to-back kills by junior Julieta Portillo and Rienks gave the Black and Gold the 15-13 victory
• VCU held Rhode Island just four kills and a -.062 hitting percentage in the fifth set; In all, VCU limited Rhody to a .020 mark in the final two frames
• The Black and Gold served up a season-high 16 aces
• VCU outhit Rhode Island .226 to .150 and also owned advantages in blocks (17-11.5), digs (60-54) and aces (16-8)

NOTABLE

• VCU has won five straight overall to improve to 6-1 in A-10 play
• The Black and Gold have defeated Rhode Island in 14 straight meetings and are 20-4 all-time against Rhody
• Pylinska's eight aces are the most by a VCU player in more than 20 years 

NEXT UP
VCU will return home to face George Mason Oct. 17 and Oct. 18 at the Stuart C. Siegel Center. Friday's match is set to get underway at 6 p.m. and will stream live on ESPN+.