Women’s volleyball bounces back against Davidson in 3-2 win

Ben Martindale, Contributing Writer

VCU found itself back in the win column in a closely-fought 3-2 matchup against Atlantic 10 opponent Davidson College, thanks to an all-time performance from fourth-year outside hitter Julia Rienks.

The opening set was a battle from the first serve as both teams fought to get out ahead early. Rienks quickly found her rhythm with two kills.

Midway through the first set, neither team established an advantage with Davidson holding a narrow 14-13 lead. Rienks torched Davidson’s defense for five kills.

After trailing 16-14, VCU scored three in a row to take a 17-16 lead. The Rams’ momentum grew as the set continued, eventually edging out the Wildcats 25-22 and finishing with an impressive .517 hit percentage.

The second set started in a similar fashion to the first: both teams making plays with neither able to extend a lead. Davidson began finding holes in the VCU defense and took a 10-5 lead after a four point run.

Despite Davidson’s offensive bursts, the Rams refused to give up as they trimmed a 16-8 deficit to a narrow 19-15 Wildcat advantage.

The Rams showed heart as they battled from behind throughout the second set, but they eventually fell short 25-22.

Rienks continued her stellar play with three quick kills to start the third period. Neither side gained an advantage as they were all knotted up at 7-7.

VCU broke through with a late 20-18 lead in the third set on the back of excellent team defense and a big block from fourth-year outside hitter Alicja Jaryszek. 

“It was very important for us to stay focused,” Jaryszek said. “We always reminded each other where to be.”

The Wildcats responded with an impressive 4-0 run to take a 22-20 lead, and the Rams took a timeout. Davidson came out of it swinging and closed out the set, 25-21.

VCU did not quit despite being down two sets to one. The Rams came out guns blazing to start the fourth set and secured a quick 3-0 lead.

The Rams kept rolling in the fourth set as a huge block from Jaryszek, who has been excellent on both sides of the ball, brought VCU to a 13-8 lead. They continued their offensive onslaught, eventually closing out the fourth period 25-15. VCU played its best volleyball as it headed into the pivotal final set.

VCU’s energy to start the tiebreaker was electric as it jumped out to a quick 6-3 lead. They locked in defensively with excellent communication and two huge blocks.

Both teams refused to give an inch to each other, but VCU led 8-7 halfway through the final set.

A huge block from Rienks gave VCU a 12-9 lead but Davidson refused to quit, battling back to force a VCU timeout with a one point lead.

From that point on, Davidson had no answers to VCU’s offense. The Rams finished the match with a textbook kill from first-year middle blocker Sarah Dibbs-Frantz, closing out the Wildcats 15-11.

Rienks had a career night for VCU as she recorded 29 kills in a match, the first time a Ram has done so in 12 years, and added three blocks and seven digs to her performance. 

“I’m always coming in to do my best,” Rienks said. “I trust my teammates with everything I do and I’m always gonna try and get as many kills as possible. I’m happy with my performance today for sure.”

VCU will play its next games on the road for a pair of A-10 matches at Saint Louis University Oct. 3-4. Friday’s match will get underway at 7 p.m.