WASHINGTON, DC – The RIT volleyball team (11-8) dropped both matches on day two of the Worthington Classic hosted by Gallaudet University on Saturday. RIT fell to DeSales University (12-5) in three sets and lost to Kean University (15-5) in four sets. Junior setter Erin Parkinson (Carrollton, TX/W.T. White) was named to the Worthington Classic All-Tournament Team, while going over 3,000 assists for her career.

DeSales won all three sets in the opener, by scores of 25-20, 25-22, 25-15.

Taylor Higgins (Peru, NY/Peru) led the Tigers offensively, with 13 kills, seven digs and a pair of service aces. Sara Taylor (Tonawanda, NY/Kenmore East) hit .320 with 11 kills, while Kathryn Vogl (West Seneca, NY/St. Mary's) added five kills. Parkinson dished out 29 assists, while Kelly Fellner (Lancaster, NY/Lancaster) led the team with a pair of blocks and Rebecca Bennett (Springfield, PA/Springfield) had eight digs.

Noel Kelly led a balanced DeSales attack with 10 kills, while Gabby Savite led the way with 13 digs to go along with seven kills. Julia Bradford compiled 29 assists, while Morghan Shoemaker had a team-best four blocks to go along with five kills.

In the afternoon match against Kean, the two teams traded 25-22 wins over the first two sets. Kean would take control, winning sets three and four by identical 25-20 scores and take the match.

RIT had 51 kills to 50 for Kean, but the Cougars won the match by recording 13 blocks to just one for the Tigers.

Higgins slammed a season-high 20 kills to go along with nine digs, while Taylor added 12 kills. Parkinson contributed 44 assists and 10 digs, while Vogl (6), Shelby Doheny (Moreau, NY/South Glens Falls) (5) and Fellner (5) combined for 16 kills. Kirstie Wehler (Saint Marys, PA/Elk County Catholic) led the squad with 11 digs, while Bennett added 10 digs to go along with a pair of service aces.

Parkinson went over the 3,000 assist mark for her career at the university, as she now has 3,019.

Four different players had at least 10 kills for Kean. Jesse Larkin hit .375 with 12 kills and eight assisted blocks. Briana Calvano dished out 43 assists, while Kortnee Nelson led all players with 16 digs.

"Overall, this was another good weekend to prepare us for Liberty League play," said RIT head coach Jim Lodes. "The size and skill of these teams helped us to identify our strengths and areas that we need to improve. We expect us to use these lessons to get ready next week for our upcoming Liberty League weekend."

RIT is now 1-3 all-time against DeSales and 0-2 versus Kean.

Yesterday, RIT opened the Worthington Classic with wins over Montclair State University and Nichols College.

RIT is back in action Friday evening at 6 p.m. against Liberty League foe Clarkson University from Clark Gym. RIT will Dig Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness.