RICH LEADS AS VCU COASTS PAST GEORGIA STATE, 3-0
10-10-09
Box Score

RICHMOND, Va. – Senior Ivana Rich (Cumberland, Va.) booked 11 kills and hit .455 as Virginia Commonwealth University breezed to a 3-0 (25-21, 25-18, 25-23) triumph over Georgia State Saturday night at the Verizon Wireless Arena at the Stuart C. Siegel Center.

It’s the Rams’ second Colonial Athletic Association victory of the weekend, following Friday’s 3-0 sweep of UNC Wilmington. Saturday’s win improves VCU to 15-7 overall and 4-1 in the CAA. Georgia State falls to 14-6 overall and 2-3 in the CAA.

Rich led a Black and Gold attack that hit .240 in the match. Redshirt freshman Kristin Boyd (Wilmington, N.C.) added 10 kills and hit .273, while junior setter Lenka Melicharkova (Zlin, Czech Republic) (pictured, right) enjoyed a solid all-around

“We really clicked on offense,” VCU Head Coach James Finley said. “We’ve been hanging around a .200 hitting percentage, but the last couple of matches we’ve been able to kick that up to .240, .250. Ivana [Rich] had great performances both nights.”

The victory also allowed the Rams to maintain their hold on a share of second place in the CAA standings with William & Mary, which defeated UNC Wilmington Saturday.

Defensively, freshman Marisa Low (Carlsbad, Calif.) collected 19 digs and sophomore Alyssa Foster (Richmond, Va.) added 14 for VCU, which trailed on just two occasions all evening.

Ashley Jones led the Panther cause with 11 kills and 12 digs.

The Black and Gold returns to the floor on Friday, Oct. 16 when it hosts William & Mary at 8 p.m. at the Verizon Wireless Arena. The winner of that match will control sole possession of second place in the CAA, and could grab a share of first.