ALFRED, N.Y. – The Ithaca College volleyball team continued its run through Empire 8 play on Tuesday evening when it trekked to Alfred, N.Y., to square off with the Saxons. Looking to stay within striking distance of the top spot in the conference standing, the Bombers overcame a slow start to score a four-set victory at the Terrry S. Galanis Family Arena. The victory improved Ithaca's record to 13-4 on the season and a 3-1 mark in Empire 8 play.
 
"Today we learned a lot about playing fearlessly," head coach Johan Dulfer said. "I thought we came into the match very tentative, almost afraid. It was so much fun to see the improvement from set-to-set once we started to regain our confidence."
 
The opening set was a back-and-forth battle between both sides. Although the Bombers put together two separate four-point runs during the frame, the Saxons racked up their match-best 14 kills to answer every Ithaca rally. With the game tied at 18-all, the two sides split each of the next 10 rallies, but it was the home side that finally was able to put together two straight points. Leading hitter, Amber Smith, gave Alfred a 24-23 lead with her fifth kill of the set, while top blocker, Jacquelynn Hicks, paired with Leslye Rosario for a clutch block assist to give the home side the opening set win.
 
"Alfred came out aggressive and it really put us on our heels at little bit," Dulfer explained. "I think we were taken a bit by surprise."
 
Although Alfred scored the first two points in set number two, it was clear that a switch was turned for an Ithaca side motivated to prove the opening game was just an anomaly. A 7-2 run, headlined by a pair of Joelle Goldstein kills, lifted IC into a lead that the visitors would not relinquish. Goldstein helped extend the advantage throughout the middle portion of the game with two more clinical finishes.
 
IC clinched the set with a 5-0 run with Goldstein on serve. Amanda Cerruti and Taylor McCarthy sparked the point streak with back-to-back kills. Katie Evans finished the set with a solo block, as Ithaca equaled the match with a 25-15 win.
 
"We needed a few tactical switches, but mostly we needed to trust each other," Dulfer continued. "Once we stopped worrying about making mistakes, we really started to find our game."
 
With the match still very much in the balance, IC snatched firm control of the third set with an eight-point run, which transformed an 8-7 deficit into a 15-8 lead. Serve specialist, Marlee Wierda, powered the run with three service aces, while Goldstein, McCarthy and Evans combined to chip in four kills.
 
The Bombers strong serving continued through the rest of the set, closing out a dominant 25-14 third game with a 7-1 run. Fittingly, IC notched three more service aces, gaining a pair from Caitlyn Floyd to begin the run and closing out the set on a Goldstein ace.
 
With momentum clearly siding with Ithaca, the visitors made sure to jump out to an early advantage in fourth frame. IC scored the first five points in the decisive set and never looked back.  A subsequent 9-0 point run, headlined by a pair of kills from McCarthy, Evans and Kayla Gromen eliminated any hope of the Saxons extending the match. Cerruti clinched the match with a thunderous kill up the middle.
 
Goldstein paced the Bombers with one of her finest efforts of the 2016 season to-date. She marked a big double-double, posting 15 kills on a .357 hitting percentage and adding 17 digs. The junior outside hitter added four assists and three service aces. McCarthy added a solid effort at the opposite pin, chipping in eight kills.
 
Cerruti continued to be clinical in her finishing. She marked seven kills on a .636 hitting percentage, while the sophomore middle also added one solo block and three block assists. Evans formed a solid one-two punch with Cerruti in the middle, posting six kills and equaling Cerruti's blocking line with one solo and three assists.
 
Caroline Gerulskis and Ruby Dyson also added some clutch finishes. Gerulskis finished with four kills, while Dyson amassed a season-best three kills.
 
Floyd paced the Bombers with 16 assists, while Gromen added 13 helpers. The junior setter also converted three kills on three attacks to hit 1.000 in the match. Tara Stilwell led IC with 18 digs, while she also marked two assists and a service ace.
 
"We are a dangerous and fun team when we play with purpose and without fear," Dulfer concluded. "We will continue to build off of what we learned tonight."
 
Ithaca enjoys a rare off weekend, as the team does not return to the court until next Tuesday, October 4. The Bombers will take a one-match hiatus from Empire 8 play, as they make the short trip to renew their rivalry with SUNY Cortland. Start time is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.