ROCHESTER, NY -- The RIT (5-2) women's volleyball team swept two matches Saturday at the 2019 RIT Invitational. The Tigers began the day with a three-set sweep of SUNY Polytechnic (25-20, 25-22, 25-14), and wrapped up the afternoon with a 3-0 win over Capital University (25-18, 25-13, 25-14).

Versus SUNY Poly, Katie Hobler (Rochester, NY/Our Lady of Mercy) led RIT with 15 kills, hitting .524 for the match. Taylor Higgins (Peru, NY/Peru) tallied eight kills, while Kelly Waters (Burnt Hills, NY/Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake) chipped in six kills. Sasha Mekker (Syracuse, NY/West Genesee) handed out 23 assists, and Kiana Walker (Lloydminster, Alberta/Lloydminster Comprehensive) led the Tigers with six digs. Paige Daly (Allison Park, PA/Hampton) finished with five digs.

Hobler led RIT with 16 kills and hit .500 in the win over Capital. Taylor Higgins (Peru, NY/Peru) had nine kills and eight digs, and Kiana Walker (Lloydminster, Alberta/Lloydminster Comprehensive) and Paige Daly (Allison Park, PA/Hampton) each had eight digs for the Tigers. Brianna Ellis (Wayne, PA/Radnor) had 37 assists versus Capital, three digs and three assisted blocks. 

"We really did a god job of being emotionally invested today," said RIT head coach Jim Lodes. "We kept improving through both matches. Our offensive versatility and pressure along with an aggressive defensive attitude had us playing very well by the end of the day. It was a sign of the team we can become."

RIT returns to action on Friday, Sept. 13, when the Tigers begin play at the MIT Invitational versus the host at 6:30 p.m. RIT will face Tufts University and Babson College on Saturday.