Castleton, Vt.--Sophomore outside hitter Rhiannon Hodovanec (Feeding Hills, Mass.) knocked down a career-high 20 kills in a 3-2 win over Castleton in Little East women's volleyball action on Friday afternoon.
 
THE BASICS
Rhode Island College 3, Castleton 2
Rhode Island College (4-4, 1-1 LEC)
Castleton (3-7, 0-2 LEC)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
• RIC and Castleton went wire-to-wire throughout the entire first set. With the stanza tied, 18-18, Castleton would push ahead and win by four, 25-21.
 
• The Anchorwomen got off to a quick start to set two and kept the Spartans at bay, leading by as many as 10 at one point (21-11) and ultimately winning by five, 25-20.
 
• Castleton roared back strong and won set three, 25-15.
 
• With their backs against the ropes, the Anchorwomen were able to come back and win sets four and five to earn their first Little East victory of the year. The Anchorwomen tied the match, 2-2, with a 25-20 win in the fourth set.
 
• In the decisive fifth set, RIC took an early, 3-0, advantage. The Spartans were able to gain the lead later on in the stanza, 7-6. The Anchorwomen took the lead back and rode that to the win, winning, 15-13, off a kill from freshman middle blocker Sydnee Pires (Rochester, Mass.).
 
• Hodvanec racked up 20 kills and 23 digs, both of which were career-highs. She added three assists and two aces.
 
• Senior middle hitter Angelly Polanco (Providence, R.I.) contributed 11 kills and four blocks.
 
• Sophomore setter Natalie Reid (North Attleboro, Mass.) handed out a team-high 24 assists.
 
• Castleton sophomore outside hitter Hailey Martinovich (Rochester, N.Y.) and classmate outside hitter Vanessa LeBrun (South Glens Falls, N.Y.) led the Spartans with 12 and 11 kills, respectively.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
In upcoming action, Rhode Island College will face Fisher in the club's second of two contests at the Castleton tri-match (4 p.m.).