Tournament: Buccaneer Classic
Score: Western Kentucky 3, VCU 0 (25-20, 26-24, 25-15)
Location: Johnson City, Tenn. (Brooks Gymnasium)
Records: VCU 1-5, Western Kentucky 6-2
 
The short story: Senior Julia Rienks spiked 11 kills, but VCU was unable to overcome offensive-minded Western Kentucky Saturday at the Buccaneer Classic.
 
OPENING VOLLEY

• Rienks hit .381 on 21 swings to pace the VCU offensive attack. She also supplied two blocks on the way to a 12-point day
• Senior Kalina Pylinska and sophomore Letizia Galli added six kills a piece, while junior Nina Boledovicova kicked in five for the Black and Gold. Boledovicova also recorded four blocks
• VCU libero Haruka Sugimoto registered eight digs, three assists and a service ace
• Alivia Skidmore carried the Hilltoppers with 12 kills and three blocks

THE DIFFERENCE

• Western Kentucky hit .337 on the day, including .531 in the third set. VCU hit .180
• The Hilltoppers also owned a 39-27 edge in digs and a 6-2 advantage in service aces
• VCU led 19-16 in the second set, but WKU used a 6-2 burst, capped by a Skidmore kill, to even the score at 22-all. The teams traded the next four points until a kill by Kaira Knox and a solo block by Izzy Van De Weile pushed the Hilltoppers to a 26-24 win

NEXT UP
VCU will head to Norfolk, Va. to face Old Dominion on Friday, Sept. 19 at 6 p.m. The Rams will host N.C. State in their home opener at the Stuart C. Siegel Center the following day, also at 6 p.m.