Colonials swept by Oakland in second Horizon League matchup

Head+coach+Dale+Starr+puts+his+head+down+in+disgust+after+the+Colonials+blew+a+late+lead+in+their+third+set.

Ethan Morrison

Head coach Dale Starr puts his head down in disgust after the Colonials blew a late lead in their third set.

Kevin Plowcha

MOON TOWNSHIP– Robert Morris volleyball (7-7, 0-2 Horizon) took on the Oakland Golden Grizzlies (8-5, 2-0 Horizon) in their second Horizon League matchup in as many days. After losing in straight sets to Cleveland State, the Colonials looked to get back on track. However, they were unable to do so.

Set one was a back-and-forth affair, but RMU never capitalized on any of their chances. The Colonials tied the set at 17, but Oakland finished with a furious 8-2 run, taking a one-set lead in the match.

Set two was dominated by the Golden Grizzlies, who at one point led 21-9. The Colonials did not even come close to any attempts of a comeback and ended up losing the set 25-13.

Set three looked like it was going to be different, with RMU keeping tabs on Oakland. The Colonials took a 21-16 lead and inched close to winning a set. However, Oakland had other plans. The Golden Grizzlies stormed back, pulling a 9-2 run seemingly out of nowhere, and snatched the third set from RMU’s grasp, finishing the sweep.

This is now the second time this season the Colonials have lost in six straight sets, also losing six consecutive last week at the Mountaineer Invitational against UMBC and no. 20 Penn State in Morgantown.

The Golden Grizzlies had 49 kills compared to just 27 for RMU. The Colonials also struggled with hitting percentage, hitting a stark .112 while Oakland had .343 and rolled over RMU in the win.

Kills: Jamie Walling, OAK, 12 / Abby Ryan, RMU, 10

Assists: AnnaBelle Tomei, OAK, 22 / Ashleigh Wallin, RMU, 16

Digs: Lindsay Wightman, OAK, 17 / Nikolette Zanolli, RMU, 12

Points: Walling, OAK, 14 / Ryan, RMU, 11.5

Robert Morris will face Purdue Fort Wayne on Friday, October 1 at 6:00 p.m. as they try to notch their first win in Horizon League play and put some games they would probably like to forget in the rearview mirror.