Fall Seasons in Review

VOLLEYBALL SEASON IN REVIEW

Led by 10th-year head coach Dale Starr, Robert Morris posted an overall record of 25-5 (.833) in 2019, including a mark of 15-1 (.938) in the Northeast Conference

The Colonials claimed their first NEC regular-season championship in 11 years and sixth overall in 2019

RMU opened the season 10-0, becoming the second program in athletic department history to win each of its first 10 games of the season

In the first athletic event at Peoples Court at the UPMC Events Center, the Colonials posted a 3-0 win over Manhattan August 30, 2019, as part of the RMU Sheraton Invitational

Junior middle blocker Emma Granger, named the 2019 NEC Player of the Year, paced Robert Morris in kills (385), attack percentage (.381), service aces (60) and blocks (160)

Granger led the NEC in attack percentage and per set averages in service aces (0.56) and blocks (1.60) while ranking third in the circuit in kills (3.64)

Junior middle blocker Maria Alfano, who earned a spot on the 2019 All-NEC First Team, provided the Colonials with 262 kills, a .365 attack percentage and 109 blocks

Alfano ranked second in the NEC in blocks per set (1.15) and attack percentage while ranking seventh in kills per set (2.76)

Junior setter Whitney Brown was named to the 2019 AllNEC Second Team after leading the NEC in assists per set with an average of 10.06

Sophomore libero Nikolette Zanolli finished with a teamhigh 498 digs in 2019, an average of 4.63 per set that was good enough to rank second in the NEC

Four Colonials eclipsed 200 kills in 2019, as joining Granger and Alfano were sophomore outside hitters Alyssa Hudak (261) and Lauren Kolenik (244)

MARIA ALFANO

NIKOLETTE ZANOLLI

EMMA GRANGER

2019 NEC COACH OF THE YEAR

In a vote of league head coaches, Dale Starr was named the 2019 NEC Coach of the Year Nov. 21, 2019. He led the Colonials to an overall record of 25-5 (.833) in 2019, including a 15-1 (.938) mark in the NEC. Starr guided RMU to a school record for conference wins and is the fourth coach in program history to earn the honor as well as the first since 2008. Robert Morris led the NEC in 2019 in attack percentage (.244) and with per set averages in blocks (2.79), service aces (1.66) and digs (16.80).

WHITNEY BROWN

EMMA GRANGER: CREATING A LEGACY

In just three seasons, middle blocker Emma Granger has solidified herself as one of the best in program history to play the position. Granger was a key component to a 2019 Robert Morris team that claimed its first NEC regular-season championship in 11 years. A look at some of her accomplishments …

Named the 2019 NEC Player of the Year, earned a spot on the 2019 American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Northeast Region Honorable Mention Team and was tabbed a 2019 VolleyballMag.com Honorable Mention All-American

Granger is the first student-athlete from Robert Morris to be earn all-region honors from the AVCA as well as the first to earn All-American status from VolleyballMag.com

In 2019 led the NEC in attack percentage (.381) and service aces and blocks per set averages of 0.56 and 1.50, respectively

Finished third in the NEC in kills per set (3.64) in 2019, posting a conference-high 389

Nationally, Granger ranked sixth in blocks per set, ninth in aces, 23rd in points per set (5.03), and 33rd in hitting percentage

In 2019 established an RMU single-season record for blocks (160) as well as establishing a new career mark for service aces (174)

Named the Molten/NEC Player of the Week seven times in 2019, setting a new conference record

During the course of the 2019 season posted five of the top 10 highest point totals in single-match history, including a record 33 points in a 3-2 victory over Central Connecticut at the UPMC Events Center Nov. 8, 2019

One of three student-athletes in Robert Morris program history to be named to the All-NEC First Team three times, joining former middle blockers Katie Noble and Amanda Graham and former outside hitter Megan Bell

Enters her senior season in 2020 with 1,008 career kills, which ranks just outside the top 10 in program history, while ranking third in attack percentage (.340) and seventh in blocks (373)

FOOTBALL SEASON IN REVIEW

Under the direction of second-year head coach Bernard Clark, Jr., Robert Morris posted an overall record of 7-5 (.583), including a mark of 6-1 (.857) in the Northeast Conference

The Colonials clinched their first winning season since 2010, winning seven of their final nine games after opening the year 0-3

For the first time in program history, RMU was honored with the 2019 NEC Team Sportsmanship Award, which is given to acknowledge the team in each conference sport that, in the opinion of its peers, most closely demonstrates good sportsmanship based on NEC Principles of Sportsmanship and Standards Conduct

A total of eight student-athletes earned All-NEC recognition in 2019, the most since 2013

Redshirt sophomore running back Alijah Jackson, named to the 2019 All-NEC First Team, ranked second in the league in rushing and third in all-purpose yards with per game averages of 88.3 and 103.5, respectively

Senior tight end Matthew Gonzalez led the Robert Morris receiving corps in 2019 with 34 catches for 563 yards and four touchdowns, earning All-NEC First Team and STATS FCS AllAmerica Third Team honors

Gonzalez concluded his career with the Colonials with 96 receptions for 1,473 yards and 17 touchdowns, ranking fifth alltime in both catches and receiving yards and fourth in touchdown catches

RMU featured the top two producers in tackles in the NEC in 2019, with sophomore linebacker Aniello Buzzacco leading the conference with 131 and redshirt senior defensive back Mason Gray finishing second with 108

Gray, a 2019 All-NEC First Team selection, tied an NCAA FCS single-game record by returning two interceptions for a touchdown in a 41-21 victory over Duquesne at Joe Walton Stadium Nov. 9, 2019

Junior kicker Nick Bisceglia tied for the NEC lead in field goals (12) and was a perfect 33-for-33 in point after attempts en route to earning 2019 All-NEC First Team accolades

ANIELLO BUZZACCO

MATTHEW GONZALEZ

GEORGE MARTIN

2019 NEC CO-COACH OF THE YEAR

In a vote of league head coaches, Bernard Clark, Jr. was named the 2019 NEC Co-Coach of the Year Nov. 27, 2019. In one of the greatest turnarounds in program history, Clark, who was also named a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Award, helped guide the Colonials to an overall record of 7-5 (.583), including a mark of 6-1 (.857) in the NEC. RMU won seven of its last nine games of the season after starting the year 0-3. Clark is the second coach in program annals to take home the honor, joining Joe Walton (1996, 1997, 1999, 2010).

MEN’S SOCCER

Led by head coach Bill Denniston, in his 23rd season leading the Colonials in 2019, RMU posted an overall record of 4-11-2 (.294), including a 3-5-1 (.389) mark in the Northeast Conference

Sophomore midfielder Riccardo Rota led the Colonials in scoring in 2019 with eight points, scoring four goals on the season

Sophomore Matt Cillo, an All-NEC Second Team pick, and freshman Michael Petitti each scored a pair of goals for RMU in 2019, with Petitti adding a pair of assists to finish the year with six points

FALL SEASON IN REVIEW

WOMEN’S SOCCER

Robert Morris compiled an overall record of 6-10-2 (.389) in 2019, including a mark of 4-5-1 (.450) in the Northeast Conference

Freshman Sheridan Reid, who was named to the 2019 All-NEC Rookie Team, paced the Colonials in scoring with 13 points thanks to team highs in both goals (5) and assists (3)

Senior forward Kristina Kelley, an All-NEC Second Team selection, and freshman forward Kayla Veloso-Lima each scored four goals for RMU in 2019

In goal in 2019, junior goalkeeper Sydney Bruckner appeared in all 18 games, recording a 1.17 goals against average and an .833 save percentage

MICHAEL PETITTI

CROSS COUNTRY

Robert Morris placed ninth at the 2019 Northeast Conference Championships in New Britain, Conn., compiling 221 points

Sophomore Martha Gardner recorded the top time for RMU at the NEC Championships, crossing the finish line with a time of 19:06.5 in the five-kilometer course to claim 19th individually

Gardner finished as the top runner for the Colonials in each meet in 2019, with her time at the NEC Championships establishing a personal record

SHERIDAN REID