Devynn Alston, Staff Writer
VCU women’s volleyball and East Tennessee State University battled through five sets on Sept. 4 at the Siegel Center, with VCU winning 3-2.
ETSU scored the first point of the match with a kill by third-year outside hitter Makayla Bays. VCU quickly responded with a kill of their own from fourth-year outside hitter Gabby LaPata. At the start, neither team could establish a lead, but ETSU soon took control, building a 10-6 lead.
The Buccaneers continued to extend their lead behind kills from Bays and first-year Karis Chatfield and strong serving, taking a 15-8 advantage at the media timeout. VCU struggled to generate momentum but attempted a late comeback, winning four consecutive rallies in a row to cut the deficit.
That effort was not enough, as ETSU closed out the first set 25-14 following a block assist by third-year middle blocker Gianna Blair and second-year outside hitter Sophia Davis.
The second set was a test of wills, as neither team could establish control. ETSU briefly built a three-point lead but VCU responded with timely kills by multiple members of the team to keep the set close.
The Rams tied the set at 21-21 and took a 22-21 lead after an ETSU setting error. The Buccaneers answered with back-to-back kills to regain the lead, but the Rams continued to fight. Deep into the set, the teams traded points, reaching a 28-28 score before VCU took a two-point lead to win and even the match.
“I think tonight was a big stride towards figuring out who we are on the court,” VCU head coach Tim Doyle said. “Where we work together, where we’re good at, how the girls around us play.”
ETSU attempted to regain control during the third set. After VCU scored first, the Buccaneers quickly responded with three straight points, including two kills from Bays. ETSU built an 11-4 lead and entered the media timeout 15-7.
The Rams attempted to close the gap with three quick points, including an ace by first-year setter Maddalena Fiolo but ETSU maintained its advantage and won 25-16 to take a 2-1 lead.
In the fourth set, VCU responded immediately, taking an early 3-1 lead and building its advantage throughout. The Rams’ blocking game gave ETSU trouble as VCU extended its lead to 12-7.
A kill by first-year outside hitter Dominka Kasinkal pushed VCU’s lead to 16-8, and the Rams continued to control the set before winning 25-16 and forcing a decisive fifth set.
The final set remained close, with the teams exchanging points and reaching a 7-7 tie after a strong rally by VCU. Neither team was able to pull away, but the Rams ultimately won 15-13 to complete the comeback.
The Ram’s win showed the team’s ability to stay aggressive and fight through difficult stretches.
“We’ve been working hard to pursue every single ball and to just find our way to kill the ball and to get the ball up,” fourth-year middle blocker Nina Boledovicova said.
VCU will carry this five-set victory into the rest of the invitational and the rest of the season with them.