Fordham Volleyball traveled down to Jersey City, New Jersey on Sept. 15 to face the Saint Peter’s University Peacocks. The Rams dropped one set to the Peacocks and won the game 3-1. Sophomore Nicole Freeley had six blocks and sophomore Emily Fronk had a team high 20 assists. Freshman Breanna Jones led the team with 13 kills, three aces and 11 digs.
The Rams then traveled to Loretto, Pennsylvania, from Sept. 18 to 19 to participate in the Red Flash Classic, hosted by Saint Francis University. This was the final weekend tournament before the Rams open up play against conference opponents. The first opponent for the Rams was the host team, St. Francis. The first set went back and forth with both teams going on short scoring streaks, but ultimately the Rams dropped the set 27-25. The Rams came out fast in the second set, jumping out to a 10-2 lead and never relinquishing it, winning the set 25-23.
After three more competitive sets, the Rams emerged victorious, winning the match 3-2. Jones again led the team in kills with 17, and Fronk also contributed 48 assists. Senior Brennan Delsing led the team with 22 digs, freshman Olivia LaPorta had three blocks and freshman Natalie Martinez led the team with five aces.
Fordham then went into its second day of competition, and its first opponent of the double header was the Coppin State University Eagles. The Rams were unable to continue their momentum from the day before. After holding on early in the first set, Fordham was down 13-11. The Eagles then overwhelmed the Rams and won the set 25-15. The Rams came out for the second set and fell behind early. Although they showed some fight with a couple of their own scoring streaks, they lost the set 25-21.
After dropping the first two sets, the Rams came out strong in the third set, stepping on the gas early and never letting up winning the set 25-16. The Rams continued their fight into the fourth set but this time the Eagles answered back, and after the two teams traded scoring streaks throughout the set, Fordham dropped the set 25-22, and Copplin State took the match 3-1. Sophomore Clarissa Cartledge led the team with three aces, Jones had 13 kills and LaPorta contributed a block. Fronk led the team with 45 assists and Delsing led the team with 22 digs, each doing so for the second consecutive game.
The Rams final opponent of the weekend was the High Point University Panthers. The Panthers came into the game undefeated on the weekend and, unfortunately for the Rams, they continued their dominance. The Rams lost in straight sets 25-23, 25-16 and 25-17, dropping the match 3-0 to the Panthers. Fronk pitched in 28 assists, marking the fourth straight match she led the team in the category. LaPorta led the team with one ace and three blocks, Martinez contributed 13 digs and Jones led the team with eight kills, joining Fronk by leading the team in a category for the fourth straight match.
Following the Red Flash Classic, Fordham was next in action at home against Stony Brook University on Sept. 22.
“With this being our last non-conference match before Davidson, I am looking forward to seeing the girls take care of the ball on our side of the court,” head coach Gini Ullery said prior to the match. “I look forward to us winning those long rallies and battling all the way until the end.”
Fordham was swept at home Tuesday night by Stony Brook 25-20, 25-18, 25-22, bringing their record to 6-10 on the season.
The Rams begin A-10 Conference play against Davidson on Friday, Sept. 25.
