ROCHESTER, N.Y. – RIT senior outside hitter
Taylor Higgins logged 16 kills and 14 digs, but it was visiting Wesleyan sweeping the Tigers, 3-0 (26-24, 25-21, 25-18) in the NCAA Division III Women's Volleyball Regional Semifinals at Clark Gymnasium, Saturday.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- RIT jumped out to a 10-4 lead in the first set, punctuated by three-straight Higgins kills. Wesleyan responded with an 11-4 run to take a 15-14 lead, but the Tigers scored six of the next seven points to re-take a 20-16 lead. The Cardinals scored five-consecutive points for a 21-20 lead before RIT put together a 3-0 surge for a 23-21 lead. Wesleyan scored three straight, before the Tigers fought off a set point to knot the score, 24-24, but the Cardinals scored the next two points to clinch the opening win.
- Wesleyan jumped out to a quick 7-2 lead in the second, before RIT put together a 6-2 run to pull within one, 9-8. The Cardinals six of the next seven points to reclaim a 15-9 lead. RIT got within three points, 20-17, and again, 23-20, but ran out of time to fall behind, 2-0.
- An 8-3 Wesleyan lead in the third set grew to seven, 14-7, before a 5-2 Tiger run cut the lead to four, 16-12. However, the Cardinals rode a decisive 7-1 run to a 23-13 lead to put the match out of reach.
MATCH NOTES
- RIT (25-5) also lost at Wesleyan, 3-0 (25-12, 25-22, 25-19) during the regular season on Sept. 10.
- Senior outside hitter Katie Hobler registered 12 kills to go along with nine digs.
- Freshman setter Sydney Neff compiled 33 assists, along with four digs and two service aces.
- RIT wrapped up its 12th NCAA Tournament appearance in program history.
- Wesleyan advances to Sunday's 1:00 p.m. regional final to face Juniata, which got past Babson, 3-2 (22-25, 25-19, 25-16, 26-28, 15-8) in the afternoon's other semifinal.
