NEWS

Kayla Davis (16) got some serious height in the Friday match up against Rhode Island. The ‘Cats won the match 3-1.

DAVIDSON, N.C. — Backed by a team-high 11 kills from Jackie Bardin, the Davidson volleyball team handled game one of its weekend series against Rhode Island on Friday night, defeating the Rams 3-1 from inside Belk Arena. 

In addition to Bardin’s efforts, four other Wildcats recorded five kills or more as Isabel Decker and Sola Omonoije each contributed eight kills apiece while Emma Slusser added five and Anela Davis hit a match-best .368 (7 kills, 19 attempts). On the defensive end, Davis stifled three solo blocks and four assists while Bella Brady picked up 21 digs. Overall, Davidson out hit URI .242 to .096, as Jessie Doyal (16 assists) and Xuan Nguyen (21 assists) paced the offense.

On the night, the ‘Cats served a season-high 13 aces, as they improve to 12-5 overall and remain undefeated at 6-0 in Atlantic 10 play.

Decker and Brady set the tone in set one, serving two aces early, while the offense hit .321 to take a 17-11 lead. As Davidson finished the first with a 25-21 victory, Doyal kept the steady serving going, adding an ace of her own and lifting the ‘Cats to a 12-5 lead in the second. Although the Rams pulled back within four, 12-8, the Wildcats ended the frame on a 13-6 run to win it 25-14 and take a 2-0 match lead.

Rhody bounced back in the third, holding Davidson to a .097 hitting percentage. Despite nine tie scores and four lead changes, the Rams held on to edge out the ‘Cats and win their lone set of the day, 25-22.

Davidson’s offense exploded in the final set, swinging .404 and serving six service aces, three of which came from Decker, to clinch the A-10 contest with a 25-16 set win and 3-1 match victory.