VCU VOLLEYBALL TRIPPED UP AT HOFSTRA, 3-1
10-20-06
Box Score

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. – Despite 23 kills and four blocks from senior Ludmila Francescatto (Fraiburga, Brazil) and 16 team blocks, Virginia Commonwealth University succumbed to league-leading Hofstra, 3-1 (30-23, 30-21, 23-30, 30-26) Friday.

VCU slips to 12-10 overall and 6-6 in the Colonial Athletic Association. The Pride, meanwhile, maintain their stranglehold on the league standings, improving to 11-0 in the conference and 15-5 overall.

Francescatto, the CAA’s leader in points per game, totaled a match-high 26.5 on the night for the Rams and adding nine digs and an ace to her totals. Also for the Black and Gold, senior Renata Salvatori (Londrina, Brazil) hit .500 and recorded 12 kills and six blocks. Senior Melissa Peterson (Ganado, Ariz.) added nine blocks for VCU.

Hofstra’s Elizabeth Curley had an outstanding hitting performance, smashing 23 kills on a .583 attack percentage. Lauren Engle added 19 kills and 11 digs, while setter Shellane Ogoshi dealt 48 assists and registered 15 digs for the Pride.

The Rams dug a 2-0 hole in the match, hitting .118 and .074 in the first two stanzas. Francescatto and VCU responded in Game Three, however, to briefly close the gap. Francescatto led the charge, erupting for nine kills and five digs in the frame as the Rams hit.282 in a 30-23 win.

Hofstra recovered in the fourth and deciding game, limiting VCU to a .133 hitting percentage while getting seven kills from Engle and six more from Curley, to clinch the match, 30-26.

The Rams remain on the road and will face Northeastern Sunday, Oct. 22 at 1 p.m. in Boston, Mass.