DANBURY, CT – The RIT volleyball team (3-1) earned a hard-fought split to close out Colonial Classic Tournament hosted by Western Connecticut State on Saturday. RIT dropped the opening match in five sets to Wentworth Institute of Technology (4-0) before rebounding to knock off the hosts in three sets. Junior captain Sara Taylor (Tonawanda, NY/Kenmore East) and freshman Taylor Higgins (Peru, NY/Peru) were named to the All-Tournament Team.
 
In the opener, Wentworth took the opening set, 25-20, before RIT roared back to win the next two, 25-23, 25-14. Wentworth won the fourth set, 25-20 and earned the victory in the fifth and decisive set, 15-7.
 
Higgins had 20 points for the Tigers in the match, leading all players with 17 kills to go along with three service aces. Taylor added 10 kills, while Erin Parkinson (Carrollton, TX/W.T. White) had 34 assists and a team-high five service aces. Kirstie Wehler (Saint Marys, PA/Elk County Catholic) led the Tigers with a career-best 18 digs to go along with five kills.  Shelby Doheny (Moreau, NY/South Glens Falls) had six kills and led RIT with four blocks, while Rebecca Bennett (Springfield, PA/Springfield) added 13 digs and six service aces. Paige Daly (Allison Park, PA/Hampton) also had eight digs.
 
Leah Rogoz led Wentworth with 16 kills and added nine digs, while Kayla Chen had 18 assists, 14 digs and five service aces.
 
Although we were a little streaky at times, I liked our effort and resiliency overall," said RIT head coach Jim Lodes. "As we continue to trust the process and each other, we will be a very difficult team to play.
 
RIT rebounded in the second match of the day against host Western Connecticut State, rolling to set wins of 25-14, 25-19 and 25-22. RIT trailed near the midway point in each of the last two sets before going on big runs. RIT hit .517 with 16 kills in the opening set to set the tone.
 
Taylor continued her strong play over the weekend, hitting .455 with 13 kills. Higgins recorded a double-double with 12 kills and 10 digs, while Parkinson had 26 assists, two service aces and a pair of kills. Bennett recorded a team-best 11 digs, while Wehler added seven and Daly had five.
 
Kamari King led Western Connecticut State with 13 digs and eight kills, while Jenna Skerritt had 18 assists.
 
"I really like the way our team responded after a tough five set loss in the previous match," said Lodes. "Western Connecticut State had some runs yet we maintained our composure and effort to win in three sets. I think we've identified some strengths that we can build upon and some areas to focus on next week in practice. Overall, this weekend was a good start to our season. "
 
On Friday, the Tigers defeated Simmons University (0-2) and Penn State Berks, both in four sets to start the season at the Colonial Classic Tournament.
 
The Tigers return to action on Friday, Sept. 8 and Saturday, Sept. 9 at the New England Invitational hosted by Tufts University and Brandeis College. RIT takes on Anna Maria College and Tufts on Friday and UMass Boston and Brandeis on Saturday.