Rochester, N.Y.—Ithaca took its final match at the RIT Volleyball Invitational, defeating Clarkson 25-23, 20-25, 25-17, 25-18. With the win, the Bombers (7-6) finished seventh in the tournament. The Golden Knights are now 7-5.

Freshman Chelsea Hayes (Northern Valley/Haworth, N.J.) again played well on both sides of the ball for the Bombers. She totaled 13 digs and 12 kills, her third double-double in the team's last four matches. She averaged 18 digs and 12 kills in Ithaca's wins in the tournament. Sophomore Tina Orlandini (Flintridge Sacred Heart/Altadena, Calif.) dug an outstanding 40 balls, tying her career high. She put up 102 digs in the Bombers' four matches.

The first set was the closest of the afternoon, with the Bombers trailing as late as 16-15, and the team's tied as late as 19-19. Orlandini broke the tie with one of Ithaca's 13 service aces, sparking the 6-4 Bomber run that closed the set. 

After Clarkson tied the match with a win in the second set, Ithaca jumped out to a 7-2 lead in the third. The early run was highlighted by Hayes, who put up a pair of aces and served the Bombers to their first four points. The Golden Knights came back to within two at 11-9, but the Bombers again surged, this time running the score to 16-9 with freshman Karin Edsall (Cornwall Central/Cornwall) serving. Clarkson would never again be within five points.

The Bombers would never trail in the final set, though the Golden Knights kept the score close for the first half. With the Bombers up 16-14, junior Corinna Doctor (Skaneateles/Skaneatels) served up three quick aces in the midst of a 6-0 Bomber run that put Ithaca in control o f the set and match. Doctor also tallied 38 assists in the win. 

Ithaca will remain idle until Sep. 23, when they will play at Geneseo at 7 p.m.

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