ROCHESTER, NY - The RIT volleyball team (6-3) extended its winning streak to three matches with a convincing 25-12, 24-14, 25-23 win over St. John Fisher (4-8) at the RIT Volleyball Invitational at Clark Gym on Saturday morning. The Tigers close out play against Keuka at 1:30 p.m.
RIT used a huge run in each set to secure the win. In the opening set, RIT held a 10-9 lead before exploding for 10 straight points, including nine in a row while senior
Bethany Davis (Blasdell, NY/Frontier) was serving. In set two, RIT led 13-12 before going on runs of 7-0 and 12-2 to pull away. Once again, Davis was serving when RIT went on the run. St. John Fisher went on a 13-3 run in the third set to take a 19-14 advantage before RIT roared back with six straight points to secure a lead they would not relinquish.
"I was really pleased with our effort and energy in this match," said RIT head coach
Jim Lodes. "We again played a good defensive match while starting to establish a better offensive flow. I hope we can continue developing from the way we've played these first two matches of the tournament."
Sophomore outside hitter
Sarah Szybist (Chicago, IL/Ramstein) was dominant for the Tigers, hitting .548 with 19 kills to go along with eight digs and a career-high seven blocks. She also added three service aces for a grand total of 26.5 points in the match.
The duo of
Laiz Novaes (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil/Centro Educational) and
Emma Dowdy (Cocoa, FL/Edgewood) also shined for the Tigers. Novaes led the way with 19 assists, five kills, and three service aces, while Dowdy hit .625 with six kills and 12 assists. Senior
Kayla Wheeler (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa) had a career-best seven assisted blocks. Davis had eight digs and three aces, and was a catalyst all match for the Tigers.
Megan Miller led Fisher with nine kills, while Katie Majerski added 12 digs and Eric Stickler recorded 14 assists.
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.
