This post was written by Hatchet reporter Maddie Rundlett.
GW was swept by Rhode Island in the final match of its two-game homestand Saturday night, extending its losing streak to seven games.
Despite strong performances both nights by junior outside hitter Aaliya Davidson and senior middle blocker Chidima Osuchukwu, who combined for 28 points and 25 kills against the Rams, the Colonials were unable to get edge their A-10 foe.
“I think our offense is doing some really good things, but defensively we need to tighten up.” head coach Amanda Ault said. “I think it just got away from us. [Rhode Island senior middle blocker] Layne Self hit 0.857 tonight, so it’s something that we just didn’t take away from them tonight.”
GW (6-11, 0-4 A-10) has yet to collect a win against an A-10 opponent this season.
Rhode Island (9-7, 4-0 A-10) hit 0.404 for the match (49k-11E, 94A), while GW hit 0.319 (41K, 12E, 91A). The Colonials were out-dug by the Rams 34-28 during the match, which Ault cited as a factor in the loss.
The first set opened with GW and Rhode Island neck-and-neck, with 8 lead changes and 13 ties throughout the set. The Colonials were able to capitalize on two attack errors by the Rams’ outside hitter Kylee Ross, going on a four-point run to take an 11-10 lead.
The Colonials were unable to maintain a lead, and trailed the rest of the set after Rhode Island took a 18-17 lead. The Rams capitalized on an attack error by freshman outside hitter Jordan Young and a service error by sophomore outside hitter Kelsey Clark to take the set, 25-23.
The Rams were able to hold onto their lead for the majority of the second set, with only two lead changes throughout the set. Hoping to bounce back, the Colonials took a timeout after Rhode Island took a three-point lead late in the set.
GW was able to bring scoring within one at 21-20 with a four-point run led by Osuchukwu’s two kills. Despite her effort, the Colonials lost the set 25-22.
The Rams completed their 3-0 sweep of the Colonials with a 25-19 victory in the third set.
For GW, the mental aspects of the game continue to present an obstacle to success.
“We just need to have fight,” Osuchukwu said. “When it gets close I think we get scared and instead of thinking ‘we need to win this,’ we think ‘we can’t lose this,’ and that mentality is detrimental to the game.”
Held winless at the Smith Center this season, GW hopes a change of scenery offered by its upcoming four-game road trip will provide a chance to find consistency in play.
“We’re losing by two, three points, so I think mentally we need to tighten up a bit,” Ault said. “We have to continue to work on things that are getting away from us is the key that’s going to push us over.”
Moving forward, blocking and minimizing service errors will be areas the Colonials hope to improve upon. Ault noted that GW struggled to neutralize the Rams’ middle blockers throughout the match.
The Colonials will begin their road series with a match at Davidson on Friday at 7 p.m.
