Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – The Ithaca College volleyball team rallied in a big way in the second day of the Skidmore Invitational to close out the regular season on a high note. The Bombers opened the day with a three-set victory over SUNY Potsdam and downed SUNY Geneseo in four-sets to conclude the regular season slate with a 24-5 overall record. Sophomore middle, Amanda Cerruti, was named to the All-Tournament Team at the conclusion of the two-day event.
 
"Today we were much better in all facets of our game and it really showed," head coach Johan Dulfer said. "I'm very proud of how we put the disappointment of yesterday's result behind us and played with a high level of purpose against some challenging opponents today."
 
The pair of matches serves as a final tune-up for the Bombers, as they take on Nazareth in a semifinal-round matchup in the Empire 8 Tournament next Saturday.
 
Ithaca 3 – SUNY Potsdam 0 (25-18, 25-14, 25-23)
 
Ithaca began today's doubleheader with a convincing three-set triumph over SUNY Potsdam. It was clear from the outset that the issues that ailed the Bombers on Friday were put quickly put to bed on Saturday. IC put together one of its best offensive efforts of the season, racking up 40 kills on a .313 team hitting percentage in the win.
 
"Our passing was solid for most of the day," Dulfer explained. "That passing really allowed us to get into an offensive rhythm and we showed great focus in bettering the ball."
 
IC got off to a fast start with 14 kills and .333 hitting in winning the opening set 25-18. Ithaca took a commanding two-set advantage with 13 kills on a sensational .476 team hitting clip. The Bombers finished off the match in a tightly contested third set, which they pulled out 25-23. It marked the team's 15^th straight-sets victory on the year.
 
Sophomore, Amanda Cerruti, kicked off her big day with an excellent match against the Bears. She posted a match-best 11 kills on .474 hitting, while she also picked up a pair of block assists. Fellow middle, Katie Evans, added three kills on a .333 hitting mark.
 
At the pins, junior, Joelle Goldstein, and freshman, Taylor McCarthy, each notched seven kills. Goldstein also chipped in nine digs and three service aces. The outside offense was supplemented by junior, Caroline Gerulskis, and sophomore, Ruby Dyson. Gerulskis posted five kills, four digs, and three block assists. Dyson was extremely efficient with four kills on six attacks (.667 hitting), while she chipped in one solo block and two block assists.
 
Freshman, Caitlyn Floyd, led the Bombers with 21 assists. Junior, Kayla Gromen, added 14 helpers and eight digs. Sophomore, Tara Stilwell, led IC with 11 digs, while she equaled Goldstein's mark with three service aces. Senior, Myan Idziur, added two service aces, while junior, Marlee Wierda, marked six digs.
 
Ithaca 3 – SUNY Geneseo 1 (25-21, 23-25, 25-16, 26-24)
 
The Bombers continued their strong play in the second match of the day against SUNY Geneseo, defeating the Knights in a hard-fought four-set battle.
 
"It was another quick turnaround for us with the back-to-back matches, but I'm really proud of how the team maintained its intensity and focus," Dulfer added.
 
Although IC's hitting was held in check by the Knights, Ithaca was able to pull out the points in key moments to score the victory. After splitting the first two sets, Ithaca posted its best effort in the third frame, racking up 12 kills on .240 hitting to win the game 25-16. The Bombers outlasted Geneseo 26-24 in the fourth set to clinch the match.
 
Cerruti continued her excellent day with 11 more kills to against pace IC for the match. The second-year middle also was a menacing presence at net, finishing with two solo blocks and two block assists. Evans added a strong complementary performance alongside Cerruti in the middle, ending the match with six kills, two solo blocks, and three block assists.
 
On the outside, Goldstein led the way with nine kills and eight digs. The third-year player also marked two service aces. McCarthy added six kills in the match. Gerulskis also continued her emergence as a key piece to the Bombers' rotation, finishing with eight kills, two digs, and two block assists.
 
Floyd against led IC in setting, amassing 21 assists and chipping in seven digs in the match. Gromen marked 14 assists and added a team-best four service aces. The third-year product narrowly missed out on the double-double with nine digs. Stilwell paced IC with 16 digs form the libero position.
 
Looking Ahead
Ithaca will return to action on Saturday, November 5, when the Bombers take on third-seed Nazareth in the semifinal-round of the Empire 8 Tournament, set to be hosted by Stevens. The Bombers and Golden Flyers match is slated for 2:30 p.m.
 
"Hopefully the lessons from this weekend will aid us, as we take aim at the Empire 8 Championships this coming weekend," Dulfer concluded.