Match Info
Ithaca (11-3, 1-0 E8) vs. Nazareth (9-3, 1-0 E8)
Saturday, September 24, 2016 | 1:30 P.M.
Canavan Arena – Hoboken, N.J.
 
Ithaca (11-3, 1-0 E8) vs. Stevens (13-1, 1-0 E8)
Saturday, September 24, 2016 | 4:00 P.M.
Canavan Arena – Hoboken, N.J.
 
Match Coverage
Live Stats 
 
Last Time Out
The Ithaca College volleyball team got off to a strong start to its Empire 8 Conference slate on Wednesday evening when it downed Elmira in straight sets at Ben Light Gymnasium. The Bombers turned in their best hitting of the season and dominated the pass-serve game to take the opening two sets by identical 25-12 scores. IC closed out the match with a tightly contested third set, in which Ithaca prevailed 25-23. The victory upped Ithaca's overall record to 11-3 on the year.
 
Challenging Test
The Bombers have been no stranger to difficult tests during the early portion of the 2016 season, as they have already faced a pair of ranked opponents on two separate occasions. This Saturday brings another challenging test, as IC is set for likely its toughest stretch of the Empire 8 slate with the doubleheader against Nazareth and Stevens. The two opponents have combined for a 22-4 record thus far this season, while both scored victories in their respective conference openers. This weekend figures to have major postseason implications for all the teams involved.
 
Hot Hitting
Ithaca certainly will be carrying the hot hand into this weekend's action, as it is coming off its best hitting performance of the season in the victory over Elmira. The Bombers hit at a .291 success rate as a team on Wednesday, which included an astounding .600 hitting percentage in the dominating opening set. IC will need to be on its game, as both of its weekend opponents rank in the top half of the Empire 8 standings in terms of limiting opponents hitting success.
 
Evans Breaks Out
Sophomore, Katie Evans, enjoyed her finest match of the season against the Soaring Eagles and should be brimming with confidence heading into Saturday. She marked a season-high 12 kills on a .474 hitting percentage to pace the Ithaca attack on Wednesday. The emergence of Evans as an attacking option adds another weapon to an already diversified Ithaca attack.
 
Scouting Nazareth
The Golden Flyers enter the weekend with a 9-3 overall record and a 1-0 mark in conference play. Nazareth is coming off a strong performance in its E8 opener, defeating Houghton in straight sets at Kidera Gymnasium. The team boasts one of the top attacks in the conference, converting its hitting at a second-best .186 success rate, while its defense behind the block is also very strong, ranking second in the conference in both digs (843) and digs per set (18.73). Cady Messmer (136) and Kelsey Milligan (119) pace the Nazareth attack at the pins, ranking fourth and seventh in the conference, respectively. Melissa Newcomb has also been an extremely efficient option in the middle, checking in with 72 kills and the conference's second-best hitting percentage at .361.
 
Scouting Stevens
The Ducks come into the weekend with the best overall record in the conference at 13-1, while they also are off to a 1-0 start in conference play, scoring a three-set victory over Hartwick. Stevens paces the Empire 8 in most offensive categories, ranking first in hitting percentage (.251), assists per set (11.64), and service aces (121). The Ducks also have done an excellent job limiting opponent's opportunities, checking in with the conference's best opponent hitting percentage against with a .098 mark. Mary Tobin (120) and Christina Sciarra (113) rank sixth and eighth, respectively, among the E8's kill leaders. Shelby Stewart, Sara Hain and Casey King also present challenges, as each rank in the top-10 of the conference for hitting percentage.
 
Looking Ahead
Ithaca returns to action on Tuesday, September 27, when it travels to Alfred for a 7:00 p.m. match against the Saxons.