ROCHESTER, Mich. --- UC Irvine's blocking game stymied the Robert Morris offense as the Anteaters posted a 25-22, 25-16, 25-11 sweep Friday evening at the Golden Grizzlies Invitational.
Ella Rosenfeld had five block assists to lead UCI (8-4) to an 8-5 advantage in team blocks while four other Anteaters posted two block assists apiece to help hold the Colonials (1-11) to a .056 hitting percentage. Arden Davis shored up the defensive effort with a match-leading 20 digs. Allison Lee led the offense with 15 kills and hit .433 for the match, posting two errors in 30 swings to go along with seven digs and tying a personal-best with three aces. Marisa Bubica also reached double-digit kills with 12 while hitting .357 (12-2-28).
The Anteaters struggled in the first frame, hitting .197 but Robert Morris was unable to capitalize, hitting .154 and delivering just 10 kills. UCI shook off the Colonials at 19-19 on kills from Aspen Potter and Bubica for a two-point lead (21-19). RMU used at timeout and Becky Jay knocked down a kill but the Anteaters would not let the Colonials get any closer. Shelley Anderson went to Pickrell, who delivered to give UCI set point and Anderson stayed with the sophomore, who closed the set with her third kill of the match.
An early three-point run by UCI put the Anteaters ahead 7-2 in the second and would force Robert Morris to call an early timeout. However, Lee and Bubica put away the ball on consecutive plays to widen the lead to seven (9-2). The Colonials went to their bench and came up with a three-point rally to close the lead to four at 9-5 but UCI answered by reeling off four consecutive points with Potter capping the run with a solo block on Arden Fisher as the team took a 17-9 lead. Robert Morris never threatened and the Anteaters would cruise to a two-set lead on the block by Ella Rosenfeld and Lee.
UCI's momentum did not ebb in the third frame as the Anteaters sprinted out to a 13-3 lead. The advantage proved to be insurmountable for the Colonials, who were limited to just a pair of two-point spurts. The Anteaters hit .400 for the set with the team committing just one error in the frame.
UCI continues action at the Golden Grizzlies Invitational Saturday at 7:00 a.m. against Bowling Green and then takes on host Oakland at 4:30 p.m.
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