ITHACA, N.Y. – Ithaca opened its own Bomber Invitational with a win over Baptist Bible (0-5), downing the Defenders 25-10, 25-22, 19-25, 25-17 Friday afternoon. Sophomore Kate Thoene (Voorhees/High Bridge, N.J.) hit .471 for the Bombers (3-4), and tallied 10 kills and three blocks.

Ithaca took the first set easily, taking lead of10-4 and ending the set on 9-2 run. Senior Rachel Busch (Hoover/North Canton, Ohio) was a perfect 4-for-4 in the opener.

The Bombers held off a late Defender charge in the second set. After seeing an 18-11 lead turn into ties at 20 and 21, got kills from Thoene and Busch to spark the 4-1 run that closed the set.

After dropping the third set, Ithaca opened the fourth on a 16-5 run, getting kills from six different players. A 4-0 Baptist Bible run pulled the visitors within six at 16-10, but they could get no closer. The Bombers closed the set and the match on a kill from freshman Stephanie Lavallato (Hunterdon/Flemington, N.J.).

Busch led all players with 15 kills in the match, her highest total of the season. She hit .355. Lavalatto joined Busch in Thoene in double figures in kills, picking up 11.

Sophomore Tina Orlandini (Flintridge Sacred Heart/Altadena, Calif.) was the match leader with 21 digs. Senior setter Corinna Doctor (Skaneateles/Skaneateles) recorded 12 digs as well as a match- and season-high 35 assists.

Ithaca continues action in the tournament Friday with an 8 p.m. matchup with Union.

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