Score: VCU 3, Saint Louis 2 (25-19, 25-27, 20-25, 25-17, 15-10)
Location: St. Louis, Mo. (Chaifetz Pavilion)
Records: VCU 5-7 (3-1 Atlantic 10), Saint Louis 8-6 (0-3)
 
The short story: Senior outside hitter Alicja Jaryszek bagged a career-high 25 kills as VCU rallied for a five-set victory for the second straight match Friday night in St. Louis.
 
OPENING VOLLEY

• Jaryszek hit .320 on 50 attempts for the Black and Gold, but that wasn't all. She also recorded 10 digs, three blocks and four service aces in a 31-point effort
• Sophomore middle blocker Letizia Galli provided 10 kills and six blocks of support to the Rams, while senior Julia Rienks added 12 kills and two blocks
• Graduate libero Haruka Sugimoto bolster the VCU defense to the tune of 26 digs
• Sophomore setter Cansin Sendir directed the Rams' attack with 42 assists
• Ellie Rink paced the Billikens with 21 kills 

THE DIFFERENCE

• Jaryszek ripped four kills in six swings in the fifth-set tiebreaker to lift VCU to the win. She registered all four of her kills in a five-play span that staked the Black and Gold to an insurmountable 10-3 lead. The Rams never trailed and hit a combined .389 in the final frame
• The Rams recorded a season-high 11 service aces in the match. Six different players were credited with at least one. VCU also owned a 71-64 edge in digs
• The Black and Gold trailed 2-1 after three sets, but held the Billikens to a total of just 13 kills and a .114 hitting percentage in the final two stanzas, won 25-17 and 15-10, respectively, by the Rams 

NOTABLE

• Rienks needs six kills to reach 1,000 for her collegiate career
• VCU improved to 19-4 all-time against Saint Louis with Friday's win. The Rams have won seven straight matches in the series
• The Black and Gold have played three straight five-set matches

NEXT UP
VCU and Saint Louis will face off again on Saturday, Oct. 4 at 1:30 p.m. (EST) at Chaifetz Pavilion in St. Louis to close out the weekend.