Saturday, November 23, 2013

Women's Volleyball: GW 3 Rhode Island 1

Chidima Osuchukwu (#8) - GW's 1-Woman Blocking Crew

Colonials Top Rhode Island in A-10 Quarters

Charles E. Smith Center was rockin' last night, as it hosted day one of the A-10 Women's Volleyball Tournament. Third-seeded George Washington won a thrilling quarterfinal war with Rhode Island, rallying to win 3-1 (25-27, 25-21, 25-20, 25-19.) The Colonials advance to a semifinal contest with second-seeded VCU tonight at 7:30. GW stopped VCU last month in what I labeled the, "best volleyball match ever." The Rams will be looking for revenge, no doubt.

Speaking of revenge, GW got some of its own last night, reversing a 3-1 loss on Senior Day last week. For a moment or two, it looked as if Rhode Island still had the home team's number. The Rams (15-16, 7-7 A-10) rallied from a 22-20 deficit to win the first set 27-25, a set that featured 16 ties! That's about the time when freshman sensation Chidima Osuchukwu began to take over. The A-10 All-Conference Second Team selection dominated play at the net, finishing tied for a team-best 15 kills and a match-high five blocks (including four solo.)

Kelsey Newman (#15) chipped in with 12 kills

Osuchukwu wasn't the only Colonial who brought her "A" game to the court: Teammates Rachel Goss (15) Kelsey Newman (12) and Landon Garvik (10) registered double-digit kills, part of a 63-52 overall advantage for the match. GW also held a 9-3 edge in blocks, and attack percentage (.266 to .208) Frosh Emily Clemens paced GW with 48 assists; while Maddy Doyle topped all players with 25 digs. Extra kudos to Clemens for some nifty "slight of hand" at the net, scoring several key points.

Bombs Away! Senior Rachel Goss (#1) scored 15 kills

The Colonials return to the conference semis for the first time since 2008, and seem poised for another win versus VCU (24-7, 11-3.) Last night's announced crowd of 688 was plenty raucous. Expect even more fans (and raucousness) tonight. Tickets are still available at the door ($6 per day, $15 for an all-tourney pass.) Raise High!

Click here for last night's box score.