ITHACA, N.Y. – The 11^th-ranked Ithaca College women's volleyball team was back on the court at Ben Light Gymnasium on Saturday afternoon for the final match of the opening weekend Bomber Invitational. IC turned in a gritty bounce-back effort against a highly-talented Wisconsin-La Crosse outfit, winning the match in straight-sets 25-23, 25-22, 25-18. The victory closes out Ithaca's season-opening weekend with a 2-1 record.
 
"I'm really pleased with the poise and focus we brought to the gym today," head coach Johan Dulfer said following the match. "I thought we came up with some really big digs at some crucial points of the match. In all my years of coaching, I really believe this team has the ability to be one of the best I've ever had in that area. While I think we still have a lot to work on coming out of the weekend, I was really encouraged by the maturity and the calmness we showed in the crucial moments today."
 
Ithaca entered the day looking to shake off a disappointing conclusion to yesterday's opening day of action. While the Bombers let an opportunity to score an early-season statement win against a nationally-ranked Berry outfit in the nightcap, IC came into the day focused and determined to cap the weekend on a strong note. The squad did just that, nearly doubling up Wisconsin-La Crosse in kills, 43-to-26, and digs 59-to-37. In particular, IC's serve-receive looked much steadier this afternoon, conceding just five aces to the Eagles compared to 19 in the five-set loss to Berry last night. Altogether things came together in a resounding three-set win that will jettison IC into its first road trip of the season next weekend.
 
"One thing that was great about today's match was that it was entire team effort," Dulfer said. "We had some players that did not see action yesterday come in today and really deliver us a spark. We were engaged as a group throughout the day. I thought that we shook off some of the nerves and the jitters that showed during yesterday's matches and really came through with a gutsy performance."
 
One of those players that delivered spark Dulfer mentioned was junior Katie Basey who garnered the start in the middle this afternoon. The third-year player responded with a six kills, while she also came up with a solo block and two block assists in her first action of the season. Alongside Basey was first-year Jennifer Pitts, who converted on a .500 hitting clip with six kills on 10 swings.
 
The action at the pins was led by junior right side Reagan Stone. Although the third-year talent had a little bit of difficulty finding the range on her attacks throughout the day, she still was a big part of the offense with a match-high 14 kills, while also adding eight digs. Classmate Sarah Jennison had another strong effort with nine kills and two digs, while sophomore Alison Lipton chipped in two kills and four digs in a little over two sets of work.
 
Another new face to see action on the day on the outside was first-year outside hitter Camryn O'Leary. The Sugar Land, Texas, product contributed three kills and one dig, sparking the squad to a convincing win in the third set to clinch the match.
 
Senior setter Caitlyn Floyd was once-again phenomenal in stuffing the stat sheet in multiple categories. She finished the day with 39 assists, three kills and two service aces offensively, while also delivering six digs and two block assists on the defensive side of the ball.
 
The backline also had a strong afternoon. Sophomore libero notched a match-high 19 digs and two service aces to pace the group. The first-year tandem of Grace Isaksen and Hannah Hughes also looked much more confident in their second day of live collegiate action. Isaksen notched 10 digs, while Hughes finished with nine digs in the win.
 
It was a bit of a slow start for the Bombers, as the team struggled to keep attacks in play during the early going. Wisconsin-La Crosse used the shaky beginning to jump out to an 11-7 lead and prompt and early IC timeout. The Bombers shifted strategies out of the break and began setting the middle in an attempt to get the attack rolling. The ploy certainly worked to success as Basey connected for three straight kills, while Stone added two kills and Floyd posted an ace as part of a 6-0 run to take IC's first lead of the day.
 
The visitors did not back down and pushed back with a 4-0 scoring push to again take the lead. The two sides would battle back-and-forth down the back stretch of the frame with the Eagles holding a slim lead that would fluctuate by 1-to-2 points. Trailing 22-20 late in the opening frame, IC showed their best resiliency of the weekend to dig deep and take the opening set. Ithaca's scrappy defense shown down the stretch, setting the stage for a 5-1 scoring run that allowed the Bombers to swipe the first set 25-23. Jennison capped the run with a kill down the left sideline.
 
IC started the second set much faster, rattling off a 5-0 scoring run that was punctuated by kills from Jennison and Pitts. The run sparked Ithaca to an early 8-3 advantage. The Eagles raced back over the ensuing stretch, eventually working back to level terms midway through the set at 15-15. However, IC would score a 3-0 run that was capped by a kill from Stone to open up a little separation. Although Wisconsin-La Crosse again pushed back, shaving the deficit to a single point at 23-22, Ithaca again showed its guts to hold on for the win. It was a rookie that delivered the goods for IC, as Pitts converted on back-to-back kills to close out the set win 25-22 and the commanding lead in the match.
 
Ithaca used the momentum to again start fast in the third frame. Floyd used some strong serving to keep the visitors off balanced, notching one ace as part of a 6-0 scoring run to begin the set. IC would maintain the advantage throughout, taking firm control with another 5-0 run midway through the set. Basey, Jennison, Stone and O'Leary picked up kills down the stretch to put the match on ice. O'Leary hit the clinching kill on a roll shot that found a soft spot in the middle.
 
Ithaca returns to action next Friday, September 6, when it travels to Huntingdon, Pa., to face third-ranked Juniata in the opening day of the ASICS Invitational. Start time is set for 7:30 p.m.