Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 Battlefield Classic Tournament Website

GETTYSBURG, PA – The RIT volleyball team (3-2) split a pair of matches on day two of the Gettysburg Battlefield Classic on Saturday afternoon. The Tigers shook off a tough four-set loss to Gallaudet (3-0) in the first match of the day, by downing York (Pa.) College (0-4) in straight sets, 3-0. Sarah Szybist (Chicago, IL/Ramstein) was named to the Battlefield Classic All-Tournament Team.

Gallaudet proved to be a difficult foe for the Tigers.  RIT took the first set, 25-22, before losing a tight 25-22 second set. The Bison took control of the match, winning 25-18 in the third, before closing things out with a 25-14 score in the fourth set.

The Tigers were led by Sarah Szybist (Chicago, IL/Ramstein), who tallied nine kills and six digs. Erin Parkinson (Carrollton, TX/W.T. White) also had a strong match despite the loss, with a team-high 17 digs and 26 assists. Aleah Chinn (Wichita, KS/Witchita Southeast) added seven kills, while Amy Van Hienen (Castor, Alberta/Gus Wetter) had six kills and six digs. Anna Valentine (Pittsford, NY/Pittsford Mendon) tallied a team-leading 10 digs in the opening match.

"We are continuing to develop as a team," said RIT head coach Jim Lodes after the loss to Gallaudet. "We hopefully will learn plenty from this match. Our attention to details and consistent effort will get us going in the right direction again."

The Tigers indeed went in the right direction in the second match against York. RIT won the first set, 25-22 on the back of strong play by Sara Taylor (Tonanwanda, NY/Kenmore East), starting the set with three service aces in a row. The second set was hotly contested, as both teams went point-for-point throughout.

After an RIT timeout, with the team trailing 22-20, the Tigers roared back, as Aleah Chinn (Wichita, KS/Witchita Southeast) smashed two key kills to close the gap. Strong serves by Laiz Novaes (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil/Centro Educational) and a set-winning ace from Abby Higgins (Peru, NY/Peru) were enough to take a 2-0 lead in the match. The final set was more of the same, a tight battle that the Tigers were able to take control late, as a service ace by Rebecca Bennett (Springfield, PA/Springfield) was enough to take a 26-24 set and match win.

Laiz Novaes (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil/Centro Educational) led the team against York with 10 kills, adding six digs. Van Hienen led the team in digs, with 13. Chinn hit .636 with seven kills, while Parkinson added 29 assists.

 "I'm excited we played a good bounce back match," said Lodes after game two. "We have tremendous room for growth. Now we need to continue to improve and compete for every point. I think we'll like our style of play when we do more of that."

RIT will go back on the road next week, playing in the Nazareth Golden Flyer Invitational in nearby Pittsford, N.Y. on Friday, Sept. 11, and Saturday, Sept. 12.