BOSTON – The Suffolk volleyball team will make the trip to Framingham for a tri-match with two Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference opponents Saturday afternoon. The Rams will take on the Owls of Westfield State at 1 p.m., before serving against the hosts' Rams at 3 p.m. 

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LAST TIME OUT
The Suffolk volleyball team slipped in straight sets to UMass Dartmouth Tuesday night at Regan Gymnasium. The Corsairs took the non-conference set by scores of 25-16, 33-31 and 25-10.

Chidera Nwankwo led the way for the Rams (3-7) with seven kills, while Jane Buckley added six. Liz Kerek and Caitlin Mockler had eight and six assists, respectively. Kerek also helped out defensively with 11 digs with Bridget Allison and Rachel Fancy chipping in 10 apiece.

MORE READING: Volleyball Slips to UMass Dartmouth, 3-0

RUN DOWN ON THE RAMS
Suffolk looks to get back in the win column after a 3-0 setback to UMass Dartmouth that pushed its record to 3-7 overall. The young Rams squad calls up on its players to contribute on both sides of the net with Bridget Allison's 2.03 kps leading the way offensively. Chidera Nwankwo provides 1.66 kps to Suffolk's 8.63 kps offense. Talia Lombardo matches Nwankwo's offensive contribution, but really shines defensively with a team-leading 3.25 dps. Emma Feeney also chips in 3.19 dps. Liz Kerek has shouldered the load as the team's setter, having averaged 4.84 aps.

SEEING DOUBLE
At the University of St. Jopseh on Saturday, Talia Lombardo became the first player in blue-and-gold to record a double-double performance since Krista Iacobbucio '14 did so versus Eastern Nazarene October 11, 2014. Lombardo's 12-kill, 13-dig effort at the University of Saint Joseph's was not the only double-double contribution made at the tri-match as Caitlyn Mockler turned in 10 assists and a team-high 19 digs against Pratt to notch the first double-double of her career.

SERVING UP ACES
Suffolk scored 19 aces in a straight set victory over Massachusetts Maritime, marking the most aces for a Rams' squad since 2011. Freshman Talia Lombardo tallied eight aces in the victory, the most for a Ram since Melissa Griffin '12 served that number in a 3-1 victory over Eastern Nazarene September 22, 2011.

In GNAC action, Suffolk has served 27 aces to lead the league in service aces in GNAC competition. 

READ UP ON THE RAMS (FRAMINGHAM)
Coming off a 3-1 victory at Salve Regina, Framingham brings a 10-2 record into the weekend. The Rams' attack is led by Alycia Rackliffe, who averages 3.90 kps, while Julia Wan adds 1.76 kps.  Mollly Meehan (4.58 aps) and Sarah Leonard (4.51 aps) have split time at the setter position. On the defensive side of the net, Rackliffe's 0.78 bps leads the Rams and Victoria Anderson and Danielle Girard contributed 3.37 dps and 3.29 dps, respectively.

OUT LOOK ON THE OWLS
Westfield enters the match 5-6, having won three consecutive contests including two in straight sets versus Bay Path and Elms. Marina Ramos has paced the Owls' attack with 4.33 kps, while adding 3.00 dps on the defensive side. Shannon Glass-smythe (3.67), Courtney Pharr (3.33) and Kendyl Haney (3.17) all chip in over 3.00 kps with Pharr hitting on a .450 clip. Rachel Webb has handled the setting dtuies with 9.67 aps with Courtney Ryan (4.66 aps) and Brigid Murray (4.47 aps) each lending a hand.  Mia Cattaneo contributes 5.33 dps as Pharr's 1.00 bps adds to the defensive effort.

LOOKING AHEAD
A quick stop at Regan Gymnasium Tuesday, Sept. 29 is in store for Suffolk, before the Rams hit the road for four straight matches.