Women's Volleyball | 10/25/2008 6:16:46 PM

Click here for box score against Nazareth
Click here for box score against Alfred

ITHACA, NY - The RIT volleyball team (16-20, 5-3 Empire 8) clinched an Empire 8 playoff berth after defeating Alfred University in three games during conference crossover play on Saturday evening at Ithaca College.  Earlier in the day, the Tigers fell to Nazareth College in four games.  RIT has participated in every Empire 8 conference post-season tournament since the league went to that format in 2002.

Against Nazareth, the Tigers won game one in a thriller, 34-32, before the Golden Flyers rattled off wins in the final three games, 25-22, 25-23, 25-21. 

Junior #Vic Petko (East Amherst, NY/Clarence)# (East Amherst, NY/Clarence) enjoyed a tremendous match for the Tigers, slamming 25 kills, while hitting .316 and recording six blocks.  Freshman Dani Liesman (Ridgecrest, CA/Burroughs) (Ridgecrest, CA/Burroughs) had 11 kills and 10 digs.

Nichole Boxler (Varysburg, NY/Attica) (Varysburg, NY/Attica) recorded 36 assists to go along with 12 digs and five blocks.  Kate Gleason (Hamburg, NY/Frontier) (Hamburg, NY/Frontier) compiled a team-high 17 digs, while Megan Henriksen (Silver Spring, MD/Our Lady of Good Counsel) (Silver Spring, MD/Our Lady of Good Counsel) added 13 digs. 

RIT easily dispatched Alfred in three games, 25-15, 25-16, 25-15.  Petko slammed 16 kills and added four blocks.  Freshman #Lauren Kraft (Lockport, NY/Holy Angels Academy)# (Lockport, NY/Holy Angels Academy) led RIT with a season-high four service aces.  Gleason also recorded four aces.  Henriksen recorded 15 digs, while Boxler distributed 36 assists.

The Tigers are back in action on Saturday, Nov. 1 and Sun. Nov. 2, as they wrap-up the regular season by hosting thefive-team  New York State Regional Challenge at Clark Gym.