HUNTINGDON, Pa. – The Ithaca College volleyball team looked to get back in the win column when it hit the road for second consecutive weekend to take-on another national power in 13^th-ranked Juniata College on Friday evening. Taking on their second nationally-ranked foe in the opening weeks of the season, the Bombers pushed the Eagles to the brink, but ultimately fell in a five-set heartbreaker (25-21, 13-25, 12-25, 25-18, 6-15). The loss drops Ithaca's record to 1-4 on the year.
 
"Tonight was a tale of two matches," head coach Johan Dulfer said post-match. "When we passed well and had the right mental focus, I believe tonight was the best that I have ever seen Ithaca play since I arrived. Unfortunately, we are still working on keeping that consistent level of play throughout the match and tonight that proved to be the difference."
 
Ithaca got off to another dynamite start in the match, winning the opening set 25-21 on the strength of 11 kills and a .167 hitting percentage. At one point the Bombers trailed 9-3 in the early portions of the frame; however, a 7-0 run powered by three service aces by senior defensive specialist Kayla Gromen pulled Ithaca ahead 10-9 nearing the midway point. With the set tied at 20-apiece, IC closed the first set win on a 5-1 scoring run punctuated by a kill by Gromen.
 
Despite the positive start, the nationally-ranked Eagles showed why they are a perennial power in dominating the next two frames to take a two-sets-to-one lead in the match. Ithaca was held to just 12 combined kills in the second and third sets, hitting in the negative percentages during both frames. Lengthy scoring runs midway through both frames proved to be the difference as the home side pulled away to take its first lead in the match.
 
"It is never easy going on the road to these tough venues and playing these national powers," Dulfer continued. "You cannot underestimate the advantage that playing on your home court can provide. While we really are pleased with the challenges this early stretch of the schedule has brought, I think we are all excited to be coming home to Ben Light Gymnasium following this weekend."
 
Although the Bombers have struggled to string together strong sets of play during the early portion of the season, nobody can knock the grit the team has showed through the first five matches. IC showcased that classic resilience yet again in playing its strongest set of the match in the fourth set to force a decisive fifth frame. Ithaca racked up 13 kills and hit a team-best .273 in the fourth to take the set 25-18.
 
The fourth game was a back-and-forth contest throughout the majority; however, IC strung together a 6-0 scoring run with sides tied at 17-all to pull away. This time it was freshman setter Delaney Runyon's strong service work that made the difference, as she marked a pair of aces and helped IC win five straight points on her serve.
 
Sadly, the momentum shifted one final time in the last set. Juniata scored the opening three points in the frame and put together a subsequent 6-0 run of its own after Ithaca battled back to 3-2 to take a commanding lead in the abbreviated final game. Although kills from sophomore Taylor McCarthy and junior Hailey Adler helped IC close the gap, it would not be enough in the 15-6 decision.
 
"We are not far away from winning these type of matches," Dulfer concluded. "While it is painful to lose, we must not forget the lessons that we are learning in these challenging contests. I really believe that while it stings now, these experiences are going to pay dividends for us later in the year."
 
McCarthy continued her scintillating start to the season with another strong hitting game. She paced the team with 17 kills on .267 hitting to power the Ithaca attack. Senior Joelle Goldstein finished second on the squad with five kills on an off night for the reigning Empire 8 Player of the Year. Junior Amanda Cerruti, freshman Reagan Stone, freshman Sarah Jennison and Adler each finished with four kills in the contest.
 
Gromen was a serving menace with five of Ithaca's 11 total aces in the match. Sophomore setter Caitlyn Floyd and Runyon each marked two aces on serve in the contest. Senior Marlee Wierda and Jennison each added one service ace apiece. Runyon perpetuated her strong start to the year, leading the team with 20 assists. Floyd finished with 17 helpers.
 
Junior libero Tara Stilwell also continued her streak of 20-plus dig matches to begin the year. She marked her fourth consecutive match hitting the mark, finishing with a team-best 21 in the match.
 
Ithaca returns to action tomorrow with a pair of matches in the second day of the ASICS Invitational. The Bombers open the day with a 2:00 p.m. match against Swarthmore, while they conclude the doubleheader at 4:00 p.m. when they take-on Messiah.