Rochester, N.Y.—Picking up career highs in kills and digs—and the first double-double of her career—freshman Chelsea Hayes (Northern Valley/Haworth, N.J.) helped Ithaca volleyball to a win over Rochester in the first round of the RIT Invitational. The Bombers (6-4) avenged a Wednesday loss to the Yellowjackets (6-5) with the 17-25, 25-17, 25-21, 25-17 victory.

Hayes tallied 12 kills and 23 digs, shattering her previous career bests of 10 and six, respectively. Junior Rachel Busch (Hoover/North Canton, Ohio) was also strong on the attack, hitting .433 and leading the team with 14 kills.

The match's turning point came in the third set, with the match tied and the Bombers down 20-18. A kill from Busch pulled Ithaca within a score. Senior Brianna D'Errico (Byron-Bergen/Byron, N.Y.) picked up an ace on the next point to tie the score at 20. D'Errico continued her strong serving, leading the Bombers to the next three points and the eventual win. 

Junior Corinna Doctor (Skaneateles/Skaneateles) put Ithaca in control of the finale with four straight aces to open the set. Thought the Yellowjackets would eventually tie the score at 10, Ithaca would never trail. Hayes picked up three kills in the middle of an 11-1 Ithaca run that sealed the Bomber win.

Ithaca had dropped the first set and played Rochester to an 11-11 tie in the second. A 14-6 run put the Bombers comfortably ahead in the second set and in prime position to tie the match. 

Play will continue in the RIT Invitational Friday night at 8 against Cortland.

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