PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Emmanuel women's volleyball is off to its best start since 2003, improving to 5-0 this season thanks to a tri-match sweep over Rhode Island College and Westfield State on Saturday at RIC. The Saints defeated the Anchorwomen 3-1 (25-20, 14-25, 25-21, 25-18) before defeating the Owls in five sets (21-25, 25-20, 25-22, 21-25, 15-6).

MATCH ONE: Emmanuel 3 – Rhode Island 1 (25-20, 14-25, 25-21, 25-18)

After splitting the opening two sets, the Saints took control of the play in the third, winning the frame 25-21 to take the lead in the match. Emmanuel led by as many as six in the middle of the set, but the Anchorwomen nearly stole the frame with a 7-0 run to overtake the Saints and lead 20-19. But the visitors managed to steady themselves, closing the set with six of the last seven points to win 25-21.

In the fourth, a close battle through the set resulted in Emmanuel leading 18-17. Similar to the prior set, the Saints scored seven of the last eight points, closing out the match with a 25-18 set victory. The Saints combined for 16 kills while hitting .375 from the floor in the fourth.

Senior Isabella Marquez finished with a team-high 13 kills, hitting .243 from the floor. Sophomore Letitia Bossou added 11 kills while juniors Scheala Nielsen and Kason Huynh had double-doubles with Nielsen recording 10 kills and 15 digs and Huynh finishing with 32 assists and 16 digs.

For RIC, Sarina Marines had a match-high 14 kills to go along with 10 digs. Sydnee Pires had 10 kills while hitting .292. Marina Colonis chipped in with a match-best 18 digs.

MATCH TWO: Emmanuel 3 – Westfield State 2 (21-25, 25-20, 25-22, 21-25, 15-6)

The Saints journey to 5-0 to start the season required five sets in their second match of the afternoon, but a 15-6 fifth set win clinched the Saints best start in 22 years.

After splitting the opening points of the fifth, the Saints scored the next five points of the set, taking control at 6-1. Nielsen had a pair of aces in the five-point run that gave Emmanuel control. Westfield State closed to within three, but a three-point response by Emmanuel lifted them to a 10-4 edge.

The Saints coasted to the finish comfortably as a set error by the Owls provided the match-winning point for Emmanuel in the 15-6 set win.

Bossou came away with a season-high 18 kills and an attack percentage of .406. Marquez added 13 kills for the Saints while Huynh posted a season-best 42 assists. Emmanuel combined for 18 service aces over the five sets, led by Nielsen, who finished with six aces, followed by sophomore Frances Ramos Rodriguez, who added five aces.

For Westfield State, Emily Washkalavitch finished with a team-high 16 kills to go along with 11 digs for the double-double. Hannah Nihill added 13 kills in the Owls loss.

COMING UP

The Saints will look to stay unbeaten as they return to play on Tuesday, Sept. 9, hosting Wentworth on Yosinoff Court at 7:00 p.m.