WHO: Women's Volleyball at Rhode Island
WHERE: Keaney Gym, Kingston, R.I.
FINAL SCORE: Rhode Island 3, Mason 0
 

KINGSTON, R.I. – The George Mason women's volleyball team had its season-high three-match winning streak come to an end in a straight-set loss to Rhode Island on Saturday at Keaney Gym in Kingston, R.I.

Mason (7-19, 3-10 A-10) was swept 25-14, 25-16 and 25-16 in the match against the Rams to fall to 1-5 on the road this season. The Patriots had won their previous three matches, all in five sets, including a road victory at Fordham on Friday. 

On Saturday, senior opposite hitter Tiffany Clarke and junior middle blocker Sydney Fanoga led the team with six kills each, while Fanoga posted a team-high three block assists. Senior setter Caitlyn Hipsher and junior setter Kelly Schaller each had 10 of Mason's 21 assists in the match. Hipsher collected 31 assists over the two matches this weekend.

Sophomore libero Catie Espinoza recorded 12 of the Patriots 26 digs, with classmate outside hitter Maddie French finishing the match with three kills. French notched Mason's only service ace of the night.

Rhode Island (16-9, 11-2 A-10) clinched the No. 2 seed in the Atlantic 10 Championship and earned a first-round bye in the tournament for the first time in 10 years. The Rams swept the season series against Mason, including a three-set win in Fairfax on Sept. 30.   

Rhode Island limited Mason to 16 or fewer points in all three sets.  The 46 points allowed by the Rams tied for the lowest total by an opponent this season.  Rhode Island held Duquesne and La Salle to 46 points earlier this season.

Four players finished with at least six kills for the Rams on Saturday. Senior Audrey Castro led the team with 13 kills and added five block assists, while classmate Layne Self was second on the team with nine kills and had a match-high eight block assists for Rhode Island. 

Senior Callan Kinnan recorded 33 of Rhode Island's 38 assists in the match and added nine digs. Junior Kylee Wolfe finished the match with seven kills, six digs and a pair of service aces.

The Rams have 16 wins this season, with 11 being three-set sweeps. After winning just four of its first 11 matches, Rhode Island has gone 12-2 since Sept. 17.

The Patriots close out the season on Saturday, Nov. 12 at George Washington with first serve scheduled for 3 p.m.