PROVIDENCE, R.I. --  The Eastern Connecticut State University women's volleyball team never trailed in the first set after the early moments, breaking a tie with the final two points for a 27-25 victory on the way to a Little East Conference sweep of Rhode Island College Tuesday evening at the Murray Center. The Warriors completed the sweep with 25-17 victories in the second and third sets.

At right: Adrianna Mihalek

With its fourth win (three by sweep) in the last five matches, Eastern (12-10, 3-1 LEC) moves into a share of second place in the conference with idle Keene State College, both teams a half-game back of leader Massachusetts Boston. Eastern beat Rhode Island (9-9, 2-2 LEC) for the sixth time in the last seven meetings with the Anchorwomen.

In the first set Tuesday, Eastern never trailed after the first five points of the match and moved out to a 15-10 lead before the hosts pulled even at 19-all. There were four more ties down the stretch before sophomore All-LEC outside hitter Adrianna Mihalek (Woodbury) put the team ahead for good with her seventh kill of the set, and a Rhode Island attack error off the serve of Eastern freshman Hannah Koehler (Bedford, NH) gave Eastern the victory.

Eastern erased an early 5-1 deficit in the second set, eventually outscoring the Anchorwomen 11-3 with the help of the serving of junior libero Allie Luppi (Tewksbury, MA) and sophomore defensive specialists Nina Zimmitti (East Hampton) and Danielle Robillard (Swansea, MA).  A kill by Bryant gave Eastern the lead for good, 16-15, and an attack error and Zimmitti's service ace pushed the Warriors into a three-point lead.

An 8-1 scoring spurt snapped an 8-all tie in the third set and propelled Eastern to the match victory. In that stretch, Sibiskie contributed two kills, Mihalek a kill and service ace, Bryant a kill and Luppi a service ace.

The top defensive team in the conference, Eastern collected ten blocks, with seven individuals adding an assist or solo. Mihalek attacked at a season-high .515 with 19 kills on 33 attempts. She is now attacking at .307 in her last seven matches after managing just .145 through the first 15.

Bryant followed Mihalek with a career-high nine kills and attacked at .300, Sibiskie contributing four kills on five attempts without an error. Senior Allie Henry (Middletown) set for 31 assists. Luppi led both teams with 14 digs, Mihalek chipping in nine and Zimmitti eight.

Saturday, Eastern visits the U.S. Coast Guard Academy to face the hosts at 11 a.m. and Salve Regina University at 1 p.m. Salve downed Eastern in four sets at Geissler Gymnasium Sept. 16.

Eastern Conn. 3, Rhode Island College 0

Eastern Conn. (12-10, 3-1 LEC)                      27     25     25

Rhode Island College (9-9, 2-2 LEC)                25    17     17