ROCHESTER, NY – The RIT volleyball team improved to 22-3 overall and 5-1 in the Liberty League after a thrilling five-set win over Vassar College (13-8, 4-2) on Friday evening as part of Brick City Homecoming & Family Weekend. Prior to the match, RIT honored seniors Erin Parkinson (Carrollton, TX/W.T. White), Sara Taylor (Tonawanda, NY/Kenmore East) and Kirstie Wehler (Saint Marys, PA/Elk County Catholic). The Tigers have now won five straight matches and 20 of 21 overall.
 
RIT, who clinched the No. 2 seed in the upcoming Liberty League Tournament, began the match by winning the opening set 25-21. Vassar would respond by taking the next two sets, 25-21 and 25-20. The Tigers would force a crucial fifth set by winning the fourth set, 25-21, before cruising through the final set 15-9.
 
In set one, the Tigers started off firing as they took an early 10-4 lead and never trailed. RIT was up 18-10 before Vassar went on a run, outscoring the Tigers 9-5 to make it interesting. It wasn't enough as the Tigers took the first set 25-21.
 
Vassar won the second set 25-21. They led early 8-2 before the Tigers went on a 10-4 run tying the set at 12-12. The set went back and forth late before the Brewers eventually would take the set. In set three, RIT started out on on a 6-0 before Vassar chipped away and went on to win, 25-20, seemingly seizing the momentum.
 
RIT took the fourth set, 25-21 to force a fifth set. The match was a nail-biter as the set was tied 12 separate times. The Tigers broke the match open taking a 17-14 lead before Vassar countered and tied it up at 21 apiece. RIT finished strong as they went on a 4-0 run to win the set.
 
The Tigers took the fifth and final set 15-9. RIT never trailed in the set, holding leads of 4-0 and 7-2. The Tigers kept a three point cushion and never let the Brewers come within reach of the lead.   

"This was a nice way for the seniors to celebrate their night," said RIT head coach Jim Lodes." The team showed their resiliency again. To battle against a very good Vassar team and find a way to win shows our fortitude. I'm proud that we have been able to fight when we are pushed."

Katie Hobler (Rochester, NY/Our Lady of Mercy) led the Tigers with 26 kills, followed by Taylor Higgins (Peru, NY/Peru) who had a double-double on the night with 15 kills and a match high of 21 digs. Kelly Waters (Burnt Hills, NY/Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake) added 12 kills and four blocks, while Erin Parkinson (Carrollton, TX/W.T. White) dished out 49 assists to go along with 12 digs and four blocks. Maria Simonetti (Rochester, NY/Our Lady of Mercy) chipped in with 16 kills, while Shelby Doheny (Moreau, NY/South Glens Falls) added a match-high five blocks.

Devan Gallagher led Vassar with 25 kills and added 14 digs, while Jane McLeod added 20. Annie MacMillan recorded a match-high 50 assists. Anna Zucchero chipped in with 15 digs.

RIT outscored Vassar 78-75, while both teams had 62 kills in the match and had nearly identical hitting percentages. The Tigers hit .265 compared to .253 for Vassar. RIT recorded 10 blocks to five for Vassar.

The Tigers return to action at 2 p.m. Saturday afternoon against Bard College, for their annual Dig Pink contest as part of RIT's Brick City Homecoming & Family Weekend.