ROCHESTER, NY - The RIT volleyball team (7-3) wrapped up play at the 26th annual RIT Invitational by rallying to defeat Keuka College (0-7) in a five-set thriller from Clark Gym on Saturday afternoon. The Tigers finished 3-0 at the RIT Invitational, as sophomore Sarah Szybist (Chicago, IL/Ramstein) was named Tournament MVP for the second straight season, while senior libero Bethany Davis (Blasdell, NY/Frontier) was named to the All-Tournament Team.

The Tigers opened the match with a convinving 25-13 win in set one before Keuka stormed back to win the second set, 25-23 and third set, 25-22. RIT took the fourth set, 25-14 before winning the fifth and final set, 15-11. The match ended on a service ace from Amy Van Hienen (Castor, Alberta/Gus Wetter).

Van Hienen was strong for the Tigers, slamming 12 kills, while hitting .345, to go along with six digs. Laiz Novaes (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil/Centro Educational) had a team-best 32 assists to go along with 10 kills, and eight digs, while Davis added a team-high 19 digs and five service aces. Emma Dowdy (Cocoa, FL/Edgewood) just missed a triple-double, with 20 assists, 10 digs, and nine kills

Szybist had 16 kills to go along with eight digs, five service aces, and two blocks. Overall, she had 52 kills, 21 digs, 10 blocks, and 10 service aces over the weekend in three matches, while hitting .327.

The Tigers recorded a season-high 18 service aces.

"I thought we started really well against Keuka," said RIT head coach Jim Lodes. "The pressure we provided led them to have atypical unforced errors. In the middle of set two, Keuka out the pressure back on us. I was excited that we fought back and had a chance to tie the game. In sets four and five, we rediscovered our rhythm again and played more efficiently. I'm really excited that even after Keuka took us out of our comfort zone that we found a way to win."

Tally McDonald led Keuka with 11 kills, while Rachel Parker and Brittany Kuhn combined for 27 assists. Jadine Buddingh had a team-best 10 digs, while Daielle Alred had four blocks. Sam Thrasher had seven kills and six digs.

"Overall, our team made some significant strides this weekend," said Lodes.

RIT opens up Liberty League play next weekend, with matches against Clarkson and St. Lawrence at Bard on Friday, Sept. 19 and contests against Vassar and Bard at Vassar on Saturday, Sept. 20.