Score: VCU 3, Fordham 1 (25-27, 25-16, 25-14, 25-16)
Location: Richmond, Va. (Siegel Center)
Records: VCU 13-12 (11-6 Atlantic 10), Fordham 9-18 (3-14)
 
The short story: Seniors Julia Rienks (21 kills) and Kalina Pylinska (seven aces) teamed up to lead the VCU assault as the Black and Gold overcame a slow start to batter Fordham Saturday night at the Siegel Center.
 
OPENING VOLLEY

• Rienks hit .233 on 43 attempts to pace the VCU offense. She also provided 12 digs and two blocks
• In addition to her success as a server, Pylinska chipped in 11 kills and 10 digs for VCU
• Senior Alicja Jaryszek also supplied 14 kills to the VCU cause, while hitting .294, while sophomore Letizia Galli contributed nine kills and five blocks
• VCU graduate setter Elif Ozsoy continued her late-season push with 51 assists and 17 digs
• Erynn Sweeney led Fordham with nine kills and five blocks 

THE DIFFERENCE

• VCU hit .268 on the night, compared to .118 for Fordham. The Black and Gold hit just .087 in the opening set, but recorded a .379 mark the rest of the way
• Fordham recorded 12 blocks in the match, but just three after the opening set
• Behind Pylinska, VCU racked up 10 aces and kept Fordham on its heels defensively for the duration of the match

NOTABLE
Pylinska has 46 aces this season and is averaging 0.52 aces per set, the fourth-highest average in school single-season history
 
NEXT UP
VCU and Fordham will close out the regular season on Sunday, Nov. 16 at 1 p.m. at the Siegel Center. The match will also serve as Senior Day for VCU, which will honor five graduating student-athletes prior to the match.