The volleyball team won two out of four matches Friday and Saturday in the Interleague Challenge at Union College. The Bombers started the tournament on a strong note, defeating the Hartwick College Hawks on Friday. Despite dropping the first set 24–26, the Blue and Gold were able to fight their way back to a 3–1 victory by scores of, 25–18, 25–19 and 25–20. Juniors Rachel Busch and Jen Heberton played key roles in the win, picking up a combined 35 kill shots.

 

Sophomore Tina Orlandini’s 26 digs led the defense. Just behind her, junior Corinna Doctor recorded 13 digs of her own. The South Hill squad was solid from the service line as well producing 11 serving aces. This win broke a four game losing streak.

 

In the latter half of Friday’s action, the Bombers continued to find success with a win over SUNY-Potsdam by scores of 19–25, 25–18, 25–18 and 26–24. The team played to a come-from-behind victory again, after losing the first set and then taking three consecutively. The fourth set was the turning point as Ithaca found itself down by scores of 21–16 and 22–17 to the Bears. The Bombers showed resiliency on a 7–1 rally, eventually caped off with a victory from a kill shot by freshman Chelsea Hayes. Hayes had nine kills in the match. Her nine kills were good enough for third on the team behind Busch who had 12 and Heberton who had 20.  

 

Day two of the tournament brought different results for the Blue and Gold. Starting the day against 18–6 Skidmore College, the Bombers fell to the Thoroughbreds 25–18, 22–25, 25–21, 25–11. Despite the loss, Heberton managed to tie a career high with 21 kills in the match. Junior Rachel Busch recorded 14 kill shots, giving her at least 12 kills in all three matches she had competed in up to that point.

 

The final match of the weekend was against Union. Union showed no signs of weakness, defeating the Bombers in straight sets, 25–12, 25–21, 26–24. The loss brought Ithaca’s overall record on the year to 13–15. Doctor was acknowledged for her play over the four games, and was appointed to the all-tournament team. This was the second time she has received that award this season. Doctor produced 135 assists throughout the entire tournament, including a tournament-high 43 against Potsdam. 

 

The next action for the Blue and Gold is at 7 p.m. Tuesday against SUNY-Oneonta in the Ben Light Gymnasium.