DALLAS, PA – The RIT volleyball team (1-0) opened up its 2014 season with a four-set win over host Misericordia (1-1) at the Misericordia Quad Meet on Friday evening. The Tigers took the match by scores of 25-14, 16-25, 25-19, 27-25. RIT head coach Jim Lodes picked up his 250th career win at the university.
 
Sophomore Sarah Szybist (Chicago, IL/Ramstein), the 2013 Liberty League Rookie of the Year and AVCA Honorable Mention All-American, led the Tigers with 27 kills, hitting .429. She also added two blocks.
 
Junior transfer Amy Van Hienen (Castor, Alberta/Gus Wetter), making her RIT debut, added 10 kills, while hitting .217. Classmate Taylor Harkness (Batavia, NY/Batavia) chipped in with six kills.
 
"I was proud of our fight, as we stayed in the match," said Lodes. "Several players stepped in and helped us get the win. If we can bring confidence and a consistent effort, I think this team has huge upside this season."

Lodes is now 250-137 at RIT, as he enters his 10th season. He is all-time leader in coaching wins at RIT and led the team to a national third place finish in 1993. Lodes coached at RIT from 1991-95 and returned in 2010.
 
The duo of sophomore Emma Dowdy (Cocoa, FL/Edgewood) and junior Laiz Novaes (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil/Centro Educational) combined for 37 assists. Dowdy had 22, while Novaes added 15. Senior libero Bethany Davis (Blasdell, NY/Frontier) led the way with 12 digs and three service aces.

The Tigers return to action on Saturday with a pair of matches to wrap up play at the Misericordia Tourney. RIT plays local foe SUNY Geneseo at 11 a.m. and then compete against the host once again at 3 p.m.