In our first look at UB Volleyball this season, thanks to NEC-provided video, we hoped to see the Bulls build on a strong performance frittered away last weekend at George Washington. Instead, Buffalo needed two sets to get into rhythm and then couldn’t hold a late lead in the third to extend the match, falling to Robert Morris 25-17, 25-16, 26-24.
The first two sets were extremely lopsided, as the Bulls looked out of sorts and out of sync with each other, at best trading points with the Colonials and at worst surrendering five- and six-point runs. The first saw UB battle to a 17-17 tie entering the final stages of the frame, only to surrender the final eight points and then for the second set to begin with a 10-2 Robert Morris run that the Bulls never recovered from.
Out of the break, UB showed some fight, initially trailing 12-5 before capitalizing on a series of RMU errors to take a 16-14 lead. The Bulls got as close as 20-17 and 23-22, but Robert Morris ultimately strung together a few more points to take the set 26-24.
10 of UB’s 26 kills on the day came from that third set, but the Bulls again hit less than .100 on the day. Valisha Watkins led the team with 6 kills, but Megan Wernette was arguably more productive, with 5 kills and no errors on 9 swings. Scout McLerran had 21 assists and Hannah Watson 15 digs.
UB as a team amassed seven blocks, including a pair of solos from Cassie Shado, but again struggled in serve receipt, giving up seven aces, six of which came in the first two sets. It’s the first even win for Robert Morris over Buffalo.
The Bulls stay in Pittsburgh for a pair of games tomorrow against St. Francis and Duquesne.