KINGSTON, R.I. (September 16, 2023) - Stonehill volleyball fell in two matches on Saturday, dropping three sets to American (22-25, 16-25, 17-25) before falling in three sets to Rhode Island (20-25, 17-25, 13-25) at Keaney Gymnasium in the Art Carmichael Invitational hosted by the Rams.

American 3, Stonehill 0

(22-25, 16-25, 17-25)

Senior Lauren McCloskey was the catalyst for the Skyhawks on the offensive end in the opener of the doubleheader, posting a team-high eight kills to go along with a team-high two service aces and one dig. McCloskey also had a season-high 58.3% hit percentage. Sophomore Mia Berardino had a balanced outing, recording six kills, two assists, two digs, and a service ace. Sophomore Delaney Mihelich had a team-best 12 assists with four digs. Senior Kristen DeLorenzo led the team with nine digs while notching three assists.

SET 1 | After scoring the first two points, American held a two-point lead a few different times in the early going of the first set (6-4, 8-6, 11-9). Stonehill climbed out of their deficit, tying the Eagles at 12-12. The two teams would tie eight more times in the set, finding themselves tied in the late stages of the set, 21-21. American scored four of the next five points to take the first set, 25-22.

SET 2 | The Eagles tallied the first two points of the set once again, but the Skyhawks tied the score 3-3. American scored the next three points and never gave up the lead for the rest of the set. Stonehill would keep it close, staying within two points of the Eagles (11-9) before a big run led to American building a nine-point lead (21-12). The Eagles edged out the Skyhawks in the second set, winning 25-16.

SET 3 | Stonehill jumped out to a 3-1 lead in the third set on the back of two McCloskey kills. American went on a 5-0 run soon after to go ahead 7-4, going on another scoring barrage to build their advantage to 14-6. Four unanswered points from the Skyhawks brought their deficit to just two points (17-15), with the Eagles answering by scoring the next seven (24-15). American would win the match after winning the final set 25-17.

Rhode Island 3, Stonehill 0

(20-25, 17-25, 13-25)

SET 1 | The Skyhawks scored the first four points of the match and six of the first seven to take a 6-1 lead over the Rams. Stonehill would build their largest lead of the set at 12-6 after a kill from freshman Kaitlyn Watson. Rhode Island went on an 8-2 run, tying the score at 14-14. The teams would stay tied four more times up until 19-19, but the Rams would go on a 6-1 run to win the opening set 25-20.

SET 2 | Stonehill jolted out to an early lead again, going up 4-1 early in the set and holding on to their three-point lead at 10-7. After a point from the Skyhawks, the Rams went on a 7-0 run to go up 14-11. Rhode Island would add to their three-point lead, bolstering their lead to six points (19-13). The Rams lead was too much for the Skyhawks, as they won the second set 25-17.

SET 3 | The two teams began the third set going point for point with each other (4-4), but Stonehill would go on a 3-1 run to take a 7-5 lead. Rhode Island scored the next four points, taking a two-point lead of their own (9-7). The Rams scored another four points to take their largest lead of the set, leading 13-7. The next two points went to the Skyhawks, but Rhode Island responded again with four of the next five points to boost themselves to a 17-11 advantage. After a Stonehill timeout, the teams traded two points each, as the Rams held onto their six-point lead (19-13). Rhode Island closed out the final set and the match with six straight points, winning 25-13.

Up Next

Stonehill returns to action tomorrow afternoon at Boston College for the final match of a 10-game road trip at 12 p.m. at the Margot Connell Recreation Center in Chestnut Hill, Mass. The Skyhawks return to Merkert Gymnasium on Friday, September 22 at 5 p.m. when they begin conference play against the newest member of the Northeast Conference, Le Moyne.

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