SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – RIT sophomore outside hitter
Mia Gerber totaled a match-high 17 kills on .317 attacking while graduate student libero
Hailey Blixt totaled 15 digs and four service aces to lead the Tigers to a 3-1 (25-22, 25-18, 21-25, 25-20) victory at Skidmore in the Liberty League opener for both teams, Friday.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Skidmore opened an 8-4 lead in the first, but the Tigers bounced back with a 7-2 run for an 11-10 lead. The Thoroughbreds retook a 14-12 edge and later led, 19-15, but RIT responded with a 6-1 run to pull ahead, 21-20. Skidmore retied the score, 21-21, but the Tigers scored three-straight points for a 24-21 lead before converting a third set point to take the opener by three.
- Skidmore led, 7-6, in the second before a 5-1 Tiger run yielded an 11-8 lead. The Thoroughbreds tied the score, 13-13, but RIT rode a 10-2 surge to a 23-15 lead that proved insurmountable.
- RIT started the third with an 11-7 lead that grew to as many as five, 15-10, but Skidmore responded with a 7-1 run for a 17-16 lead. The Tigers tied the score, 17-17, but Skidmore scored three-straight points to start an 8-4 run that decided the third.
- Skidmore broke and early 4-4 tie in the fourth with a 4-1 run and later led, 10-7, before RIT used four-unanswered points to take an 11-10 lead. Later tied, 12-12, the Tigers used a decisive 8-2 surge to build a 20-14 lead and eventually put away match point for the five-point victory.
MATCH NOTES
- RIT is undefeated in its last seven matches.
- Gerber logged her sixth-consecutive match with double-digit kills while finishing one short of the career-high 18 she totaled in a five-set victory over Bethany to open the season.
- Sophomore outside hitter Macie Jolliffe missed a double-double by one, finishing with 11 kills and nine digs.
- RIT was credited with 15 service aces, including three apiece by Jolliffe, sophomore defensive specialist Jada Lee and sophomore outside hitter Madison Macko.
- Graduate student setter Sydney Neff added 37 assists and nine digs.
WHAT'S NEXT
RIT continues Liberty League play on Saturday (Sept. 28) at St. Lawrence with a 2:00 p.m. match, followed by a non-league tilt versus Plattsburgh at 4:00 p.m.