The GW women’s volleyball team split its weekend matches at the Smith Center as it lost a climactic five-game match to Massachusetts but swept its contest with Rhode Island. GW displayed a strong offense led by senior Gabriela Mojska and junior Julie Jahnke.

The Colonial women (10-7, 5-4 Atlantic 10) host Fordham Friday.

GW 3, URI 0
Saturday, Oct. 16

GW defeated Rhode Island 3-0 Saturday, marking its first victory over the Rams since 1995. The Colonial women were sparked by Jahnke, who pounded 10 kills and committed only one error.

GW’s strong net-play broke an 8-8 tie as the Colonial women edged the Rams 15-12 in the final game. Mojska’s match-high 18 kills lifted GW, as the Colonial women won the middle game 15-8. Rhode Island committed 13 of its 26 errors in the game.

GW’s 19 kills sparked an 8-3 run to finish the first game as the Colonial women beat the Rams 15-10 to open the match.

UMass 3, GW 2
Friday, Oct. 15

GW suffered a tough five-game loss in a back-and-forth battle against UMass Friday night. The 19-17 final game loss came with an audience of 455 people – GW’s largest home attendance of the season.

UMass made only two errors in the final game and the Minutewomen stepped up their defense to finish with 94 digs.

GW won the fourth game 15-9 as junior Tracee Brown pounded some of her 16 kills to force a game five. UMass’ 10 errors and GW’s 12 kills were the difference in the game.

UMass defeated GW 15-11 in the middle game that produced strong offensive numbers on both sides. Despite 10 errors in the game, UMass pounded 25 kills to find victory. Many of Mojska’s 20 kills and Jahnke’s 14 kills contributed to GW’s 21-kill game.

GW pounded 13 kills and committed one error for an attack percentage of .462 as the Colonial women dominated UMass 15-1 in the second game. The victory established GW’s offense, which lacked precision in its opening game 15-9 loss to the visiting Minutewomen. GW produced only 11 kills in the opener, its weakest offensive output in the two-hour contest. Junior Jill Levey had 58 assists and 15 digs for GW.