MOON TOWNSHIP– The Robert Morris University Colonials (8-9, 1-4) defeated the Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons (5-10,1-3) by a score of 3-2.

The Colonials entered the night winless in Horizon League play, but tonight appeared to be the night to get their first victory against a subpar Purdue Fort Wayne team.

RMU started almost as fast as possible, winning the first two sets easily by scores of 25-20 and 25-19. At that point, it seemed that they would cruise to an easy win.

Although, the Mastodons changed their plan of attack, and it was as if a new team had stepped onto the floor in the third set. They dominated the set by a score of 25-19. Despite the close final score, the Mastodons were able to lead by as much as nine points during the set.

When asked what changed during the third set, Coach Danny Doherty spoke about the adjustments that Purdue Fort Wayne was able to make.

“They made some great changes, they moved their number eight (Ramei Jackson) to the right side, and she was dominating on the block and dominating on the attack. And then they switched out their libero…They made some timely adjustments.”

The Mastodons would continue their solid play in the fourth set.

Both teams went back and forth, with neither team leading by more than three, but the Mastodons would best the Colonials 25-22.

Purdue Fort Wayne entered the final set with the momentum in their favor, but Robert Morris would leave with it. The Colonials would score the first point of the set and never looked back. RMU would go on to win the set 15-11 and the match 3-2.

Coach Doherty said that the team likes to keep their focus as even as possible after each game, no matter the outcome.

“We’ve had a lot of success in five-setters this year. It’s something that they come out and they don’t get too high and they don’t get too low…it’s what we preach, we just want them to stay even and be effective.”

The Colonials are back in action on Saturday, Oct. 1, as they take on the Jaguars of IUPUI at 4 pm at home.