Hoboken, N.J.—Down two sets and trailing in the third, the Bombers picked up three straight victories over Elmira to open their first match of the Empire 8 Crossover tournament hosted by Stevens Institute of Technology. Ithaca (9-6, 1-0) won by scores of 17-25, 19-25, 25-19, 15-18, 15-6 over the Soaring Eagles (9-6, 1-2).

Junior Jen Heberton (Darien/Darien, Conn.) sparked the Bomber's victory in the final set, picking up three kills to account for half of the team's points in their 6-2 run that opened the set. She led Ithaca with 14 kills in the match. After the Soaring Eagles pulled within two points at 7-5, the Bombers scored five straight points with Heberton serving to extend their lead to 12-5. The Ithaca defense was a key to the match-ending run, putting up three blocks in the span of four points. Freshman Kate Thoene (Voorheees/Glen Gardner, N.J.) assisted on all three blocks, and ended the day with a team-leading six.

The Bombers trailed as late as 17-19 in the third set. Facing a sweep, Thoene and junior Corinna Doctor (Skaneateles/Skaneateles) were in tandem on a pair of blocks that were part of 8-0 set-closing run. Rachel Busch (Hoover/North Canton, Ohio) registered two kills in the rally, including the set-winner.

Ithaca never trailed in the fourth set, but could not extend their lead to more than two points until late in the scoring. With her team up 13-11, Doctor found open court on two serves to pick up two of her match-high five aces. The strong serving was part of an 8-2 run that put the Bombers comfortable ahead and set up the decisive fifth set.

The Bombers return to action Saturday at 2:30 p.m. against Nazareth.


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