ITHACA, N.Y. - On Tuesday, October 18, the nationally ranked Ithaca College volleyball team took on the Herons of William Smith in a highly anticipated Liberty League matchup. The Bombers came away with yet another three set win, but this time it was especially earned in a hard fought third set.
 
VS. WILLIAM SMITH (25-17, 25-16, 30-28)
 
The first set started off with a kill from Gabriela Gonzalez-Abreu, followed by an ace by William Smith. From there, a couple good points for the Herons advanced the score to 5-2. Gabriela Gonzalez-Abreu, Jamie Koopman, and Naomi Clauhs earned kills at the net and allowed the Bombers to catch up (6-5 William Smith). The first lead of the game for the Ithaca came from a Faith Sabatier kill (8-7). Two big time swing and kills from Ella Graper and a kill from Gonzalez-Abreu furthered the score to 12-10 in favor of the Bombers. After this push it was all IC. Ithaca began to capitalize off of attacking errors from William Smith along with good defense that stifled the visitors. The set ended on a kill from Gabriela Gonzalez-Abreu.
 
In the second set Ithaca came out with an early lead over William Smith (4-1). The Herons began to catch up with a few good plays and aces, but the Bombers were too much for them. Kills from Ella Graper, Gabriela Gonzalez-Abreu, and Naomi Clauhs allowed the Bombers to keep a consistent lead over the Herons. The Herons came back with slight momentum, but nothing they could capitalize off of. The set ended in a dump off from Maddie Cox (25-16).
 
The final set started off strong for the Bombers with kills from Gabriela Gonzalez-Abreu and Ella Graper (4-1). Ithaca maintained a solid lead until the score became 16-14. Ithaca then took a timeout to regroup. Out of the timeout, Alexandra Montgomery made a kill to advance the score to 17-14. For the first time in the set, the score became tied at 20-20. From there, it was a back and forth of points between the two teams. The score was tied at 23-23, 24-24, 26-26, 27-27, 28-28, until the Bombers finally pulled away. Two errors from William Smith allowed the Bombers to win the set (30-28) and the game with a Jamie Koopman service ace.
 
Stat leaders for the game were Gonzalez-Abreu with 14 kills, Ella Graper with two aces and three blocks, Maddie Cox with 33 assists, and Julia Costa with 15 digs.

Bombers Win!!@IthacaVB get the @LLAthletics W in 3⃣ over @HeronVolleyball at @IthacaCollege #GoBombers | #WeOverMe pic.twitter.com/UJZiLYdCk0

— Rich Barnes (@Firstteamphoto) October 17, 2023

 
REACTION FROM HEAD COACH JOHAN DULFER
 
Defending your home floor is always a great feeling," Dulfer said. "Tonight we took a huge step towards our goals that we set this year and within the league. We are ready for the home stretch."
 
Ithaca College improved 17-4 overall and 5-0 within the Liberty League and will return to action in a conference matchup at Bard, first serve is set for 6 p.m.