ITHACA, N.Y. – The Ithaca volleyball team (20-12) swept visiting Geneseo (16-17), 3-0 (25-21, 25-20, 25-19), on Wednesday evening in Ben Light Gymnasium.

Ithaca, who has won 11 of its past 12 matches, claimed its 11th straight-set victory of the 2011 campaign as it secured its third consecutive 20 win season.

The first frame was back-and-forth as it was tied up on nine occasions. The Bombers took a 5-2 lead before Geneseo bounced back to knot the set at 6-6. Following a 12-12 stalemate Ithaca tallied four of the next five to gain an edge, but the Blue Knights put up three straight to bring the match to 16-16. The Bombers powered past a 21-21 deadlock with four unanswered to take the first, 25-21.

Geneseo looked to rebound early in the second with a 5-2 opening run, but the Bombers answered with a 12-3 streak. The visiting squad brought the match within one, 16-15, but Ithaca was able to maintain its advantage and take the second, 25-20.

Trailing 6-4 in the third, senior Chelsea Hayes (Northern Valley Regional/Haworth, N.J.) put down a kill on an assist from classmate Elizabeth Previte (Hunterdon Central/Flemington, N.J.) and stepped up to serve. She tallied four straight aces en route to claiming a career-high nine during the match. Ithaca held a 9-6 gap before a pair of Jessica Hoeffner (Hauppauge/Hauppauge) kills on assists from fellow senior Karin Edsall (Cornwall Central/Cornwall) helped the Bombers to a 14-9 advantage. Ithaca powered to a 18-12 cushion and cruised to a 25-19 victory.

Hayes tallied match-highs of 12 kills and nine aces, while Hoeffer added a double-double of 14 digs and 11 kills. Edsall dished out 32 assists for the Bombers. Senior Kate Thoene (Voorhees/High Bridge, N.J.), who ranks fourth all-time at Ithaca for total blocks, posted five (two solo, three assists). Junior Marissa Woodcome (Pittsford Sutherland/Pittsford) added 11 digs for the Blue & Gold.

Ithaca will conclude its regular-season schedule at the Hunter Invitational on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 28-29.

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