MIDDLETOWN, Conn. - The nationally ranked No. 19 Ithaca College women's volleyball team was defeated in three sets (25-21, 25-21, 25-21) by No. 22 Colby College Mules in the Wesleyan Invitational on Friday evening. The loss puts the Bombers record at 16-4.
 
The Bombers struggled early in the first set giving up the first three points on a kill, service ace, and an attack error. However, a service error gave the Bombers their first point of the game. This was followed up by a kill from Gabriela Gonzalez-Abreu to bring the Bombers within one.
 
The Bombers were able to stay within 3-4 points in the early going of the first set until the Mules went on a five-point run that included four kills, and an attack error that gave Colby a 14-6 lead. At the end of the first set the Bombers were down 22-15, and they showed some late life to get close, but the Mules held on to win 25-21.
 
In the second set, the Bombers got off to another rough start, getting only one of the first six points. Ithaca's sole point came off a kill from Jayden Wiese. The Bombers were able to mount a small comeback trailing 5-1 to bring the score to 7-5 with the help of three kills from Anaya Prince. Colby then quickly regained their 5-point lead with a kill and two service aces.
 
Ithaca was then able to tie up the score, 17-17 for the first time since the set was 0-0 with a five-point after they were down 17-12. The Bombers got their five points with two service aces from Wesley Slavin, two kills by Naomi Clauhs, and an attack error from Colby. The Mules then got eight of the next 12 points to win the second set 25-21.
 
In the third set the Bombers were the team to get off to a strong start with two kills and a service ace to get a 3-0 lead. After an attack error, Ithaca continued to dominate the start of this game with three straight kills to take a 6-1 lead. 
 
Leading the game 13-8, the Bombers quickly saw their lead evaporate to a tie game at 14-14 with the help of three attack errors. Colby then took 11 of the next 18 points to defeat Ithaca in the third set 25-21. 
 
The Bombers will return to action again tomorrow morning at 11:30 a.m. against nationally ranked No. 1 Juniata College in their second game of the Wesleyan Invitational. They will also take on Wesleyan University at 4:30 p.m.