The volleyball team took to the court this weekend at Nazareth College for the second half of its Empire 8 conference schedule, looking to claim a spot in the Empire 8 tournament.

The Bombers performed well in the first crossover tournament of the season at Hartwick College in late September. The team went 3–1, which included a four-set victory over Rochester Institute of Technology, whom they were tied with heading into this weekend’s play. At Nazareth this weekend the Bombers again went 3–1 moving their conference record to 6–2.

First on the Bombers’ list was Alfred University who put up little resistance as the Bombers pulled a clean sweep of the Saxons 25–12, 25–16, 25–8.

Next on the agenda for Head Coach Janet Donovan and her squad was Hartwick, who also fell victim to another dominant Bomber sweep. The 25–13, 25–19, 25–18 victories secured the Bombers a spot in the Empire 8 tournament beginning on Nov. 6 at Stevens Institute of Technology.

The Bombers’ third test came in the form of Elmira College. The Soaring Eagles were able to give Ithaca some problems, however the determined Bombers took the victory in five sets. Senior outside hitter Rachel Busch dropped a career-high 23 kills in the match. Sophomore middle-hitter Kate Thoene also recorded a solid 15-kill, 3-block performance. The team picked up its sixth conference victory as it squeaked by, taking the fifth set by a score of 15–8.

The final match of the tournament pitted Ithaca against Nazareth. Ithaca put up a strong fight, but they were unable to attain the win as they fell by a score of 25–22, 21–25, 25–16, 25–22.

The highlight of the final match was senior setter Corinna Doctor’s 28 assists, which were more than enough to move her past Jen Salmon ’01 for the college record. Doctor, who already had the school record for assists in a single season, now has 5,317 career set-ups and will be looking to add to her total as the Bombers are put to the test at the regional challenge and Empire 8 tournament.

Ithaca’s next contest will be Saturday in Ben light Gymnasium as they host the New York Regional Challenge.