ROCHESTER, NY - The RIT volleyball team (13-11) dropped a three-set match to Nazareth (19-6) in front of a loud, raucous crowd at Clark Gym on Wednesday evening. Nazareth spolied RIT's Tiger Den event by winning in straight sets, 25-14, 25-21, 25-20.
The Golden Flyers hit .423 with 12 kills in the first en route to 27 kills on the evening. RIT was right behind with 24 kills, but also had 23 hitting errors. The Golden Flyers also added 12 service aces.
For RIT,
Sarah Szybist (Chicago, IL/Ramstein) slammed 12 kills, moving her closer to becoming the 14th player in school history to record 1,000 for her career. She now has 997 career kills. Despite the 12 kills, Szybist also had 11 hitting errors on the evening. She did add five digs and two blocks.
Laiz Novaes (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil/Centro Educational) recorded 10 digs to go along with two service aces and five kills.
Taylor Harkness (Batavia, NY/Batavia) added three kills, while
Emma Dowdy (Cocoa, FL/Edgewood) had a team-high 17 assists.
Cady Messmer and Kassandra Buseck recorded seven kills apiece to lead the Golden Flyers, who have now won 19 of its last 21 matches. Madi Wickens added 23 assists and four service aces, while Maureen Thayer had a team-best nine digs. Four different Golden Flyers had a pair of blocks.
Nazareth now leads the all-time series between the two schools, 39-30.
RIT is right back in action this weekend, as they host four Liberty League teams in a conference crossover at Clark Gym. On Friday, the Tigers host Vassar at 4 p.m. and Bard at 8 p.m. On Saturday, the Tigers host Union at 12 p.m. and Skidmore at 4 p.m.
