Women’s Volleyball Shines with 4-0 Record to Open Season

Head Coach Jonathan Amaral Secures First Indoor Victory as Head Coach

SOUTH PRINCE GEORGE, VA — The Richard Bland College Women's Volleyball team opened its 2025 campaign in dominant fashion, going 4-0 at the Raider Classic Tournament hosted by Roane State Community College in Harriman, Tennessee, August 21–23. The Statesmen picked up wins over Roane State, USC Lancaster, Southern Union State, and Region 10 opponent Cleveland Community College to start the season unbeaten.

Richard Bland opened play on Thursday with a 3-0 sweep of host Roane State (25-21, 25-23, 25-11). Taelin Connolley led the way with 15 kills, 10 digs, and one service ace. Daniela Sardina added five kills and 15 digs, while Marisa Furner chipped in five kills and three digs. Kaylie Klemm paced the offense with 17 assists, while Braelyn Boyd and Rachelle Martin contributed nine and six assists. Defensively, Gabrielle Meador and Kristen Mathes anchored the back row with nine and eight digs, respectively.

On Friday morning, the Statesmen defeated USC Lancaster 3-1 (25-16, 22-25, 25-21, 25-13). Connolley and Sardina again led the charge with 17 kills/17 digs and 12 kills/10 digs, respectively. Klemm tallied 25 assists and 11 digs, while Martin recorded 15 assists. Mathes was a force defensively, finishing with 22 digs.

Later that afternoon, RBC swept Southern Union State 3-0 (25-20, 25-14, 25-11). Sardina posted 15 kills and eight digs, Connolley added nine kills, 10 digs, and three aces, and Meador finished with eight kills. Klemm controlled the offense with 18 assists and five service aces, while Martin chipped in 17 assists and five digs.

The Statesmen closed the tournament on Saturday morning with a 3-1 victory over Cleveland Community College (17-25, 25-20, 25-23, 25-18). Sardina and Connolley once again powered the offense, recording 16 kills/15 digs and 14 kills/28 digs, respectively. Boyd added nine kills, while Klemm handed out 22 assists and Martin contributed 18 assists and eight digs.

With the sweep of opening weekend, Richard Bland improves to 4-0 overall.

The Statesmen return to action on Tuesday, August 26, hosting a tri-scrimmage at Statesman Hall. RBC will face Virginia State University at 2 p.m. and Virginia Wesleyan University at 6 p.m., with VSU and VWU meeting at 4 p.m. The official home opener is set for Thursday, August 28, when RBC welcomes Wake Technical Community College at 6 p.m.

Stay updated on all Women's Volleyball news at: https://www.rbcathletics.com/sports/wvball/index