ANNANDALE-ON-HUDSON, N.Y. – The Ithaca College volleyball team made history on Friday evening when it took the court for its first-ever Liberty League match when it traveled to Bard. Although the Bombers showed some nerves in their first road trip of the League slate, IC easily pulled away from the Raptors for a comfortable three-set victory (25-17, 25-15, 25-14). The win was Ithaca's sixth consecutive triumph, while it moves the Bombers to 1-0 in Liberty League play.
 
"Tonight's match has us with some mixed feelings," head coach Johan Dulfer said post-match. "On one hand it gave us our first conference victory which is always important; however, I think we all know that we are capable of playing much better than what we showed tonight. We consider ourselves fortunate that we were able to take some lessons from tonight, while also securing an important victory in League play."
 
Despite not playing at their sharpest, the Bombers were still plenty strong enough to pull away from Bard, which fell to 3-10 on the year. Ithaca racked up 33 kills on .289 hitting, while it held the Raptors to just 16 kills in the quick three-setter.  IC was particularly strong in the final two frames, registering 21 kills and committing just four total errors, while finishing at a .333 success rate.
 
In the opening set, which proved to be the closest of the three, things remained tight through the first 15 rallies, with Ithaca holding a slim 8-7 advantage. The visitors flipped a switch from there, rattling off 11 consecutive points to blow the set open at 19-7. Senior outside hitter Joelle Goldstein, junior middle hitter Katie Evans and junior outside hitter Hailey Adler each notched two kills apiece, while junior libero Tara Stilwell picked up a pair of service aces during the run.
 
IC was sloppy closing out the set, allowing Bard to score eight of nine points to pull back within six points at 22-16, before Ithaca was able to put the Raptors away with three of the final four points to gain the early leg up with a 25-17 set win. Goldstein finished off Bard in the frame with a big kill from the left pin.
 
"Bard gave us some looks that we do not usually see," Dulfer continued. "I thought that we did not play with enough purpose and were undisciplined in trying to play connected on the court. Once we started to make some errors as Bard pushed us, I thought we got a little tentative in our hitting. However, I'm glad that we were able to pull things together to secure the win."
 
Although the second set did not have a big run like the opening set, the Bombers were able to string together three separate 3-0 runs, as well as a 4-0 streak to steadily pull away for the 25-15 win and a two-sets-to-none lead. Evans led the way with three kills during the set, while freshmen Reagan Stone and Sarah Jennison each notched a pair of scoring finishes.
 
Sensing the three-set win, Ithaca came out firing with a 10-0 run to begin the decisive third frame. Stone was the go-to option early on, registering three kills. A subsequent 5-0 run, powered by a pair of kills from both Stone and Jennison effectively sealed the match in favor of the visitors.
 
Stone finished in the team lead with seven kills on 12 attacks (.500 hitting), while she also marked a solo block and three digs. Evans also had a solid effort with six kills (.500 hitting), two service aces, and one block assist. Fellow middle Amanda Cerruti finished with two kills (.400 hitting) and a team-best four block assists.
 
At the pins, Adler led the way with five kills (.385 hitting) with one dig and two block assists. Goldstein and Jennison each finished with four kills, collecting four digs and two digs, respectively. Sophomore Taylor McCarthy added three kills and two digs. Senior Caroline Gerulskis chipped in two block assists.
 
Back running its preferred six-two rotation with its talented setting duo, freshman Delaney Runyon led the way with 16 assists. Sophomore Caitlyn Floyd marked two kills and an additional 13 helpers. The second-year setter also finished with a match-high four service aces.
 
Behind the block, Stilwell finished with eight digs and two service aces. Senior Kayla Gromen also marked eight digs and one service ace.
 
"Tomorrow is a new day and a clean slate," Dulfer concluded. "We have the opportunity to come out with purpose and put in a determined effort against one of the top programs in the Liberty League in Vassar."
 
Ithaca will conclude its two-match road swing tomorrow afternoon when it faces Vassar College at 1:00 p.m. The Brewers enter the match with a 9-3 record and a 1-0 mark in Liberty League play after dispatching RIT in straight-sets on Friday evening.