BROCKPORT, N.Y. – The Ithaca College women's volleyball team began Saturday by sweeping the University of Rochester, 3-0 and concluded competition at the Brockport Invitational by playing the hosts where they battled hard but dropped a 3-2 decision to the Golden Eagles. Overall, Ithaca College improved to 3-5 on the 2021 season.

Against the University of Rochester, IC posted victories of 25-22, 25-15 and 25-13. In the split with SUNY Brockport, IC won the first set 25-22, dropped the second set 26-24, fell 25-16 in the third, won the fourth by a 25-22 score and were defeated 15-13 in the fifth set.

University of Rochester vs. Ithaca College: The Bombers opened with a .250 hitting percentage and converted on 13 kills within the first and most competitive set between the schools. IC scored the final five points of the set after trailing 22-20 as the momentum was started by an Aleka Darko kill that was assisted by Peyton Miller and the set was won by an attacking error by UR.

In the second set, IC built a 16-9 advantage that forced the opponents to take a timeout. A highlight within that run was two straight kills from Jaelyn Hershberger. The Bombers exploded for a total of 17 kills, which included the final point of the set being won by a great swing from Aleka Darko.

It was all Ithaca College in the third set as they refocused themselves after a timeout with them up 12-9. They went on a 7-0 run within the middle of the set that included a kill from Jennifer Pitts, who finished with a match-best 11.
Ithaca College had 53 digs compared to the Yellow Jackets who only managed 28. Jordyn Lyn Hayashi corralled 14 and Peyton Miller tallied 11 digs. Laura Severance was able to swing the momentum for her team with three service aces that were expertly placed on the floor.

The College at Brockport vs. Ithaca College: The Bombers played in their third five-set match of the season and played the role of comeback kids as they trailed 2-1 after taking the first set 25-22. There were a season-high 41 ties and 12 different lead changes against Brockport. The second set featured 16 ties with the final occurring at 23-23 that saw Hershberger connect on a kill to create the stalemate.

The Bombers forced the decisive fifth set as Jennifer Pitts had a productive fourth frame with five kills. IC led 13-9 after a Laura Severance ace but were unable to seal the victory with Golden Eagles going on a run to win the match.

The volleyball team will return to action next Friday and Saturday competing in the Johns Hopkins Invitational. The Bombers will begin the invite competing against York College (Pa.) on Friday at 4 p.m.