Canes Classic
Score: VCU 3, Ohio State 0 (26-24, 25-20, 25-17)
Location: Coral Gables, Fla. (Knight Sports Complex)
Records: VCU 1-0, Ohio State 0-1
 
The short story: Senior Julia Rienks and sophomore Lara Del Core combined for 24 kills as VCU stormed past Ohio State in its 2025 season opener Friday at Miami's Canes Classic.
 
OPENING VOLLEY

• Del Core, an Atlantic 10 Conference Second Team and All-Rookie selection last year as a freshman, kicked off her sophomore campaign with 12 kills, while hitting .400, against the Buckeyes. She also dug seven balls and served up two aces
• Rienks added 12 kills of her own, while hitting .333. She kicked in two blocks and eight digs
• Senior Alicja Jaryszek spiked nine kills for the Rams, while sophomore Letizia Galli provided five kills and two blocks
• Sophomore setter Cansin Sendir handed out 24 assists with 11 digs, two blocks and an ace for the Black and Gold
• Mina Gunes led Ohio State with 10 kills 

THE DIFFERENCE

• VCU hit .319 for the match, including .500 in the third as they closed the door on OSU
• The Rams also scooped up 41 digs to the Buckeyes 31, and served up three more aces (7-4) in the contest
• VCU trailed 17-11 in the opening set, but Jaryszek and Del Core combined for five kills to spark a 10-4 Black and Gold run to tie the frame at 21-21. Rienks added two kills down the stretch to move VCU to set point at 25-24, and an Ohio State hitting error on the final play helped complete the Rams' comeback
• The Rams held Ohio State to a .061 hitting percentage in the second as they built a 2-0 advantage 

NOTABLE
Friday's victory is VCU's first over a Big Ten opponent since it defeated Northwestern during the 2017 season
 
NEXT UP
VCU will face Indiana at 2 p.m. at the Knight Sports Complex in Coral Gables, Fla. in the second day of the Canes Classic.