| 12/31/2003 9:07:22 AM

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ROCHESTER, NY- The RIT women's volleyball team are the 2003 ECAC Division III Upstate Champions, after a convincing 3-0 win over the number two seed Bombers of Ithaca College tonight in Clark Gymnasium.

In the first game, the number one-seeded Tigers had the advantage as their offense controlled the pace of play. Sophomore outside hitter Christina Anabel (Apalachin, NY/Vestal) (Apalachin, NY/Vestal) kept the Tigers going early on with several consecutive kills. Ithaca was unable to shift the match in their favor, and RIT held on to a substantial lead throughout the game, winning 30-20. In the second match, however, both teams fought back and forth, trading the lead several times. Ithaca appeared to be gaining momentum early in the game, but RIT came back, then opened up a 21-13 lead. Ithaca narrowed the Tigers' lead late in the game, but RIT was able to maintain a 30-21 lead for the win. In match three, Ithaca battled back from a 19-9 deficit to score five straight points and narrow RIT's lead once again. Senior outside hitter Missy Groginski (Brewertown, NY/Paul V. Moore) made a great diving dig, then junior libero Monyette Silmon (Buffalo, NY/City Honors) (Buffalo, NY/City Honors) returned a hard kill attempt from the Ithaca front three to keep the Tigers in control. RIT took the game 30-20. RIT won the match 3-0 to clinch the championship, their first title in four consecutive tournament appearances. Groginski (Brewerton, NY/Paul V. Moore) had 11 kills and ten digs on her way to Championship MVP honors, and Sarah Ballard (Lakeview, NY/Frontier) had 31 assists for the Tigers. RIT finishes the season with a 25-15 record.