Sophomore Marquis Jones uses his defense skills against a player from Rhode Island College at Friday's game.

11/14/08 - The University of Rhode Island women's volleyball team earned a split last weekend as it went on the road to face the Duquesne University Dukes (3-1) and the Saint Louis University Billikens (3-0). On Wednesday it defeated Providence College on the road (3-0).

Last Friday, the Rams traveled to Pittsburgh, P.A. and defeated Duquesne 3-1. This was the fourth win in five games for the Rams, keeping them in contention for the Atlantic010 tournament.

"Against Duquesne we didn't play our best but fought hard and were able to pull out a win which was pretty exciting," senior libero Peggy Doino said.

Rhode Island jumped ahead 2-0 in the first game after kills by sophomores Lauren McIntosh and Lindsay Lytle. After falling behind, the Dukes went on an 8-1 run to take a 13-11 lead.

The game stayed close as Duquesne took a 23-22 lead late in the set. Kills by junior Caitlyn Welsh and freshman Stacy Yohannes gave the Rams the lead, and a Duquesne service error ended the game in URI's favor, 25-23.

Game two featured several lead changes, as it was close until the very end. The Rams trailed 20-18 in the set, but a 7-2 run to close out the game gave them a 25-22 victory.

The Dukes quickly proved they would not be swept, as they jumped out in front 9-2 in game three. The Rams chopped away at the deficit, drawing it as close as 18-17. Duquesne regained momentum, and took the game 25-19 after a 7-2 run.

Duquesne carried the momentum into the fourth game, as it took a 7-1 lead over Rhode Island. Once again, the Rams fought to get the score close, getting it to 19-18. The Dukes scored three straight points, and appeared to have the momentum swing once more. Rhode Island proved that to be wrong, as it took the next seven points to win the game 25-22.

Welsh led the way with 15 kills in the match. Doino continued to carry the defense, picking up 29 digs.

"We needed that win to keep us in the running for the A-10's," Doino said.

Rhode Island looked to upset nationally ranked and undefeated St. Louis, but were unsuccessful as it was swept 3-0.

URI jumped to a 5-1 lead against the No. 21 Billikens, but were unable to hold onto the lead. The Rams held a 13-11 lead, but could not stay ahead. The Billikens took the lead back, and would go on to win the game 25-22.

"We managed to play very well against them in the first game, but not the next two," Doino said.

The Rams tried to get the win back in set two, but were unsuccessful as Saint Louis won the game by a large margin, 25-15.

Saint Louis cruised to match victory in game three, handling the Rams 25-10. McIntosh led Rhody with seven kills in the match. Doino had a match-high 21 digs.

"After the match ended, two of their players came up to us and told us that we are the only team that has given them trouble this year," Doino said. "That was pretty nice to hear even though it was unfortunate that we couldn't win a game in the match."

URI defeated in-state rival Providence on the road in straight sets, 3-0. Sophomore Kayla Newburg led the team with 11 kills in the match.

Providence leapt out to an early 8-6 lead, but URI came back to regain the lead at 12-11. The Rams held onto this lead for the remainder of the game, winning 25-16.

They held the lead for a majority of game two, but were unable to gain any separation from the opponent, with the score at 22-22. After a kill by Welsh, an ace by Lytle and a kill by Newberg, URI had itself a 25-22 victory and a 2-0 match lead.

Game three was very similar to game two, as the two teams battled back and forth the whole way through. Providence had multiple opportunities to win the game when it took a 24-22 lead. The Rams scored two straight to even the score at 24, but PC regained the lead on a service error by Welsh. The Friars returned with a service error of their own, tying the score back up. URI took the next two points to win the match 27-25, earning it the three game sweep against Providence.

Welsh recorded her 15th double double of the year, getting 10 kills and 12 digs in the match. Doino once again led the Ram defense with her 15 digs.

The Rams will carry on division play on Saturday against Fordham University.

"Everyone is encouraged to attend this match because it is the final home game of the year and senior night," Doino said. "We need to win the game to make it to the A-10 Tournament.