Lucky number 13: volleyball keeps streak alive

Daniel Puryear

Contributing Writer

Volleyball (16-2) traveled to Davidson, N.C. to play the University of Davidson Wildcats at the Belk Arena last Saturday, Sept. 30. The Rams won in straight sets, 25-17, 25-22, and 25-13 over the Wildcats to secure their 13th consecutive victory.

The Rams continue to breeze through opponents, both conference and nonconference. The VCU win last Saturday was lucky number thirteen on their history-making win streak, and their third A10 victory of the season. The Black and Gold have also won 13 consecutive sets.  

Volleyball did not let anything come in their side of the court Saturday night, with six solo blocks and 18 block-assists to Davidson’s six.

With 40 kills in all — and a whopping 13 from Italian sophomore outside hitter Vicky Giommarini — VCU stormed past the Davidson front row. Giommarini shortening her distance in the kills leaderboard between her and German senior Alica Kandler. Kandler leads Giommarini by 76 career kills, 459 to 383.

Where the Rams truly set themselves apart from the Wildcats is in the kills percentage. VCU managed a .213 percentage, compared to Davidson’s -0.19.

Rebekah Strange, the Rams’ senior libero from Avon High School, kept the Black and Gold defense in check with a total of 18 digs. Sophomore Jasmine Sneed led VCU in kill percentage with .556 and six kills.

The 16-2 start is the program’s best since the 2012 season, with VCU only losing to Texas A&M University and the University of Notre Dame in invitationals. The Rams are currently 3-0 in conference and right above the preseason favorite, Dayton University (2-0).

Volleyball now begins a three-game homestand which will kick off with a matchup against the University of Maryland- Eastern Shore (14-5) on Tuesday, Oct. 3 at the Seigel Center. The Rams next conference game is against the University of Duquesne (7-10, 2-1 Conference) on Friday, Oct. 6.