ROCHESTER, NY – The RIT volleyball team (8-2) won a pair of matches at the Tiger Tri-Match, held at steamy Clark Gymnasium on Saturday. RIT opened the day with a four-set win over Houghton College (1-9) and wrapped up the day with a three-set win over Penn State Behrend (6-6). RIT has now won six straight matches. It is RIT's best 10-match start since 2007.
 
RIT rolled to wins in the opening two sets over Houghton, 25-11 and 25-16, before the Highlanders responded with a 25-20 win in set three. The fourth set was a back-and-forth affair before the Tigers took control late to win 25-23 and take the match.
 
The Tigers dominated in the opening set en route to the win. RIT trailed 7-5 in the second set before going on a 17-5 run to take control. RIT had 60 points to 45 for Houghton and hit .242 as a team, including .400 in the second set.
 
Taylor Higgins (Peru, NY/Peru) had 12 kills and five digs to lead RIT in the win over Houghton. Katie Hobler (Rochester, NY/Our Lady of Mercy) added nine kills and nine digs, while Sara Taylor (Tonawanda, NY/Kenmore East) recorded seven kills. Shelby Doheny (Moreau, NY/South Glens Falls) hit .625 with five kills and added three blocks.
 
Senior setter Erin Parkinson (Carrollton, TX/W.T. White) had 29 assists and six digs in three sets of play, while Maria Simonetti (Rochester, NY/Our Lady of Mercy) had a match-high 14 digs. Brianna Ellis (Wayne, PA/Radnor) added eight assists.
 
Amy Huddell led Houghton with 10 kills, while Morgan Potempa added 14 digs. Haley Unverdorben added 15 assists.
 
In the match against Penn State Behrend, RIT took the opening set, 25-19. In set two, Penn State Behrend led 24-22 before RIT rallied with four straight points to earn a 26-24 victory. Kelly Waters (Burnt Hills, NY/Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake) slammed back-to-back kills and Hobler slammed a service ace before an attack error by the Lions ended the set. RIT led 17-12 in the third set before the Lions rallied to take a 20-19 lead. Tied 21-21, Kelly Fellner (Lancaster, NY/Lancaster) delivered a key block and three straight kills by Hobler secured the win.
 
RIT had 44 kills and hit .277 in the match. Hobler led the way with 12 kills, nine digs and three service aces, while hitting .333. Higgins added 10 kills and five digs, while Taylor recorded eight kills. Waters hit .333 with six kills. Parkinson had 37 assists and a pair of service aces, while Simonetti recorded eight digs.
 
Amanda Henry and Dani Koslow led the Lions with nine kills each and Lexi Irwin recorded 24 assists and seven digs.
 
Penn State Behrend defeated Houghton in five sets in the other match of the day.
 
The Tigers are back in action on Friday, Sept. 21 and Saturday, Sept. 22 with a pair of Liberty League matches. RIT opens Liberty League play at six-time defending champion Clarkson on Friday at 6 p.m. and return home to face St. Lawrence Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m.