Rhode Island College defeats Salem State in Home Opener

Jose Rodriguez '24, Staff Writer | Media & Communications

Salem, Mass. -- Rhode Island College defeated Salem State 3 sets to 1 (21-25, 27-25,25-14, and 25-13)  on Thursday evening at Twohig Gymnasium. Rhode Island College improves to 2-0 overall while Salem State drops to 2-1.    

During the game, Abigail O'Connor (Gilford, N.H.) was the standout player for the Vikings, leading the offense with seven kills and 14 points. Kailey Roche made an impressive 17 digs, while Eva Haralabatos  (Melrose, Mass) contributed 9 digs and 12 assists. 

Before the game, coach McNulty expressed her confidence in the team's capability to build on their previous success. "I think we had a couple of good practices; Rhode Island College is young so it will be a good game."  

At the start of the game between Rhode Island College and Salem State, Rhode Island College went on a 5-0 run. However, Coach McNulty called a timeout to regroup and focus her team. After the break the break, the Vikings were able to turn things around and create a scoring run of their own, netting six of the next seven points to take the lead.  

As the set progressed, the Vikings found themselves ahead by four points by a score of 20 to 16. They were determined to maintain their advantage and managed to secure the set by a score of 25 to 21.  

Kailey Roche (Billerica Mass.) reflected on what changed from the beginning of the set to the end to take a 1-0 lead. "We really decided to turn it on and we started being smarter the way we were playing, and we were really getting after balls after that. We made the decision to play."   

The momentum from the first set carried over to the second, as the Vikings began with a strong 8-2 run. Despite their opponent's strong showing. Rhode Island College was able to come back and eventually tie the score 9 apiece before taking the lead.  

Moving forward, the Vikings found themselves in a tightly contested match against the Anchorwomen, with both teams tied at 22 points apiece. Despite their best efforts, it was the Anchorwomen who won the second set 27 to 25.  

O'Connor and Presley Shairs made impressive contributions in the Vikings' loss, tallying a combined 15 points in the first two sets.  

As the third set began, both the Vikings and Rhode Island College were tied, much like the previous set. However, the Anchorwomen managed to seize control, taking an early 11 to 7 lead. Despite the setback, the Vikings refused to give up and continued to battle.  

As the set progressed, the Vikings found themselves in a hole trailing by six points as they were down 19 to 13. Unfortunately, it was Rhode Island College ending up taking the third set, winning by a score 25 to 14 and take a 2-1 set lead.  

After the game, Coach McNulty discussed the team's performance and her responsibilities as a coach to make necessary changes. "If we won the second set I am really not sure if we lose the third set. Sometimes you will have a letdown after a big win. We had a letdown after that big loss in the second set and I thought the third set we were really flat. It forced my hand to make some changes. If the team can't make changes then it is my responsibility as a coach to try and change it."     

In the fourth set, the Vikings needed to win to extend the game to a fifth set and keep their chances alive. However, there were some miscommunications early on which the Anchorwomen took advantage of. Even though the Vikings were behind 16 to 11, they remained resilient and optimistic. Salem State tried their best to secure a win but at the end it was Rhode Island College with a 25 to 13 set four win.  

The Vikings will remain home as they take on Lesley at Twohig Gymnasium. Game time is at noon.