RICH VAULTS RAMS PAST TRIBE, INTO CAA RACE
10-16-08
Box Score

WILLIAMSBURG, Va. – Sophomore Ivana Rich (Cumberland, Va.) (pictured) ripped four of her 11 kills in the deciding fifth set to spark Virginia Commonwealth University to a pivotal 3-2 (21-25, 25-16, 20-25, 25-23, 15-8) win over William & Mary Thursday at Kaplan Arena.

The victory avenges a 3-2 loss to the Tribe Sept. 25 at the Alltel Pavilion and vaults the Rams into a second place tie in the Colonial Athletic Association race. VCU is now 12-7 overall and 4-2 in league play. William & Mary slips to 14-5 and 4-2 in CAA action.

Rich hit .474 and registered five blocks in leading the Rams back from a 2-1 deficit. The Black and Gold also received 19 digs from senior Laryssa Goncalves (Curitiba, Brazil) and a match-high 14 kills, 15 digs and five service aces from senior Elisa Kuehnel (Dresden, Germany).

Down 2-1, Rich helped to lead the Rams back with three kills in the fourth set on the way to a 25-23 win.

VCU was bolstered by an 89-75 advantage in digs and had 62 kills, compared to the Tribe’s 45.

Erin Skipper led William & Mary with 13 kills.

The Rams return to play on Tuesday, Oct. 21 when they step out of conference to meet Temple University at 12 p.m. in Philadelphia, Pa.