SPRINGFIELD, MA – The RIT volleyball team opened up the 2016 season by splitting a pair of matches at the Springfield College Invitational on Friday evening. RIT lost its first match to the hosts (2-0) in four sets, but rebounded to defeat Westfield State University (0-3) in four sets.
 
Springfield, who advanced to the NCAA East Regional Championship, while finishing 31-4 in 2015, proved to be a tough opponent for the Tigers. Springfield won set one, 25-20, before RIT evened the match with a 26-24 win in set two. Springfield won set three, 25-8, before taking the fourth set, 25-21. The Pride, who have made six straight NCAA Tournaments, are receiving votes in the 2016 preseason AVCA national poll.
 
Springfield had 45 kills to RIT's 31, and had 61 digs to RIT's 46. Senior outside hitter Sarah Szybist (Colorado Springs, CO/Ramstein) led the Tigers offensively, slamming 17 kills, while recording 10 digs and two service aces. Anna Valentine (Pittsford, NY/Pittsford Mendon) had a team-high 12 digs, while Erin Parkinson (Carrollton, TX/W.T. White) dished out 22 assists and added seven service aces. First-year outside hitter Sarah DelVecchio (Galway, NY/Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons), making her collegiate debut, recorded six kills and a team-high three blocks. Arielle Pariente (Twinsburg, OH/Twinsburg) had two aces, while Rebecca Bennett (Springfield, PA/Springfield) compiled seven digs.
 
Lauren Holt led the Pride with 13 kills and a .417 hitting percentage to go along with seven blocks and three service aces. Kayleigh Helgesen slammed 10 kills, while Marne Mawdsley (19) and Daniela Detora (16) combined for 35 assists. Anagabrielle Sanchez added a team high 19 digs.
 
First-year players Shelby Doheny (Moreau, NY/South Glens Falls), Kirstie Wehler (Saint Marys, PA/Elk County Catholic), Maria Simonetti (Rochester, NY/Our Lady of Mercy), and DelVecchio made their collegiate debuts against Springfield. Montana Vescovi (Le Roy, NY/Le Roy), a junior transfer made her first appearance for RIT.
 
"Overall I'm pleased with how we played a very good Springfield team," said RIT head coach Jim Lodes. "I feel this match already shows me the potential of this team this year, as well as, some of the things we will need to work on to compete this season."
 
RIT rebounded against Westfield State. The Tigers lost the opening set, 25-14, but stormed back to win the next three sets, 25-16, 25-14, 25-17.  The Tigers excelled offensively, hitting .478 in the second set, .444 in the third set, and .393 in the final set. They had 50 kills to Westfield State's 25.
 
Sophomore Sara Taylor (Tonawanda, NY/Kenmore East) enjoyed a breakout match for the Tigers, slamming a career-best 19 kills, while hitting .343. Szybist hit .370 with 14 kills and three blocks, while Anna Valentine (Pittsford, NY/Pittsford Mendon) hit .400 with 12 kills and five digs. Vescovi led RIT with 38 assists, five digs, and two aces. Bennett, Pariente, and Simonetti each recorded two aces, while Bennett led the way with six digs.
 
Jen Green led Westfield State with nine kills, while Karolyn Higgins hit .636 with seven kills. Brigid Murray dished out 18 assists, while Lizzie Taylor added seven digs.

We started slow this match but just like we did against Springfield, but we kept fighting," said Lodes. "I believe we are starting to see some idea of the team that we can become. I'm hopeful that will motivate us to do the work to get there. I'm looking forward to tomorrow.
 
The Tigers conclude play at the Springfield Invitational on Saturday with matches against Gordon College at 1 p.m. and Framingham State University at 3 p.m.