ST. LOUIS – Coming off their fourth sweep of the season, the Saint Louis University volleyball team carried that momentum into its Sunday matchup against the Rams, defeating Rhode Island in four sets. 
 
Delaney Rice started things off for the Billikens in the Sunday matinee, scoring the Billikens first two points of the day. SLU (13-13, 6-8) did not trail during the set, hitting .235 with 17 kills. Three straight Rams' points brought the match within three, but the Billikens' lead was too much for them to overcome, as SLU secured the 25-21 set one win.
 
Set two followed a different script that featured seven ties and five lead changes. The Rams were the ones to strike first off a kill from Gabrielle Shilling, but two early kills and service aces from Rice and Kate Aupperle, respectively, helped spark the Billikens' attack, giving them the 10-5 lead. Rhode Island wouldn't go down easily, though, as the Rams hit .343 in the second set, and used a 4-0 run to bring the match within one before a second run gave them the 18-16 advantage. But SLU denied three set points from the visiting team and registered three-straight kills to muscle out the 28-26 win and take a 2-0 advantage in the match. 
 
The Rams showed life in the third set, holding the Billikens to .133 hitting and only 12 kills. Despite SLU earning the first three points, the Rams took a 14-11 lead early in the set. Jillian Mattingly's ninth and 10th kills of the match brought the score back within one but from there, the Rams did not falter, and went on to take the third set, 25-20, with four service aces leading the way. 
 
Riding their momentum into set four, the Rams jumped out to an 8-1 lead. The Billikens showed grit, climbing their way out of the large deficit by putting together an 8-0 run to take an 10-9 lead. A Rams point later Kayla Richardson's 10th kill of the day boosted the Billikens back on top. SLU did not trail again, going on to win the set, 25-20, and the match, 3-1. 
 
Three Billikens reached double-digit kills with Henken's 18 leading the way and Mattingly's 14 accompanied by a hitting percentage of .591. Henken also recorded 10 digs on the day, good for her fifth double-double of the season while Addie Lyon's 43 assists and 10 digs gave the setter her third of the year. 
 
SLU will hit the road again next weekend when the Billikens take on Davidson. Friday's match will begin at 6 p.m. and Saturday's will kick off at 3 p.m.