ITHACA, N.Y. – The Ithaca College volleyball program took care of business at Ben Light Gymnasium on Friday evening, defeating the Vassar Brewers in three-straight sets. With the win, the Bombers improved to 19-4 overall and 5-0 in the Liberty League while Vassar dropped to 4-16 and 3-4 in conference action.
VS. VASSAR COLLEGE (25-11, 25-18, 25-15)
- The Bombers started the match on a 9-2 run that saw a pair of Grace Isaksen service aces and immediately out of a Vassar timeout, Aleka Darko recorded a big block at the net that was followed by two-straight kills that were recorded by the sophomore middle. IC would build its lead to 16-4 and a Leila Chipepo kill made it 20-9. The set was closed out with another two successful swings from Chipepo, a Camryn O'Leary kill and a Julia Costa ace.
- Vassar forced head coach Johan Dulfer into an early timeout after taking a 6-4 lead making the most of sloppy IC play out of the gates in the second set. The Brewers and Ithaca continued to trade points before a Karina Garcia kill made it 17-13. That swing was followed by an Aleka Darko kill that saw Vassar reeling and into a timeout. Out of the break, IC took care of business with another kill from Garcia. The first year finished the match with six in 14 total attacks.
- The third set began with the Bombers earning quick points with an Ella Graper block solo, Julia Costa service ace and a Camryn O'Leary kill as they went up 4-1. Vassar would fight its way back into the set pulling it to 10-13, but IC quickly went on a 12-3 run that was capped off by Peyton Miller catching the Brewers defense sleeping. The match closed out with another Miller kill, a Karinia Garcia kill and a service ace via Grace Isaksen. The senior finished with a season-high seven aces.
- Peyton Miller chipped in 31 assists helping churn out the offensive attack that was led by Camryn O'Leary who finished with 11 kills. Miller also recorded a double-double with a team-best 15 digs.
REACTION FROM HEAD COACH JOHAN DULFER
"I am so excited to be celebrating senior weekend with this team. Tonight, was a good start. We will continue to clean up some areas of our game, but I loved the positive energy tonight."
Next up, the Bombers will look to remain perfect in Liberty League action when they host Bard College for a Senior Day match. Prior to the 2 p.m. start, Ithaca will honor its three seniors
Grace Isaksen,
Camryn O'Leary and
Jennifer Pitts.
