POTSDAM, N.Y. – After a 13-day break, the No. 22 ranked Ithaca College volleyball team returned to action on Friday evening with a road match against Clarkson University. The Bombers dominated, winning in three sets to secure their first Liberty League victory and improve to 8-2 overall.

ITHACA 3, CLARKSON 0 (25-16, 25-16, 25-22)

The match began with a kill from Gabriela Gonzalez-Abreu, followed by a service ace from Julia Costa. The teams traded points, reaching a 10-10 tie after a successful swing by Naomi Clauhs, assisted by Wesley Slavin. Ithaca then gained momentum, leading 15-11 after kills from Clauhs and Faith Sabatier. A Slavin ace capped the run, but Clarkson responded with three consecutive points, narrowing Ithaca's lead to 15-14. The Bombers then went on a decisive run, scoring seven of the next eight points, and closed out the set at 25-16 following an opponent's attacking error.

In the second set, Ithaca maintained control from start to finish. Faith Sabatier initiated the scoring with a kill, and Ellie Benedict extended the lead to 3-0 with a perfectly placed ace. The Bombers built a substantial advantage mid-set, pushing their lead to 19-11 after an Golden Knight bad set and a kill by Naomi Clauhs. Julia Costa added another ace, and the final point came from an Abigail Spector service error, sealing the set at 25-16.

The third set saw Ithaca connect on 15 kills with only three attacking errors. The Bombers quickly built a 4-0 lead, including back-to-back kills from Brianna Owen. Although the Golden Knights managed to tie the score at 9-9 and again at 11-11, Ithaca pulled ahead, leading 20-17 after another successful swing from Owen. Josie Hampton, Naomi Clauhs, and Anaya Price each recorded kills down the stretch, closing out the set at 25-22.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Naomi Clauhs led the match with 12 kills, while Gabriela Gonzalez-Abreu achieved her first double-double of the season with 12 kills and 10 digs.
• Julia Costa and Ellie Benedict excelled at the service line, recording six and four aces respectively, and combined for 40 digs.
• The Bombers' hitting percentage improved in each set, reaching a .343 clip in the final set with 15 kills on 35 swings. Wesley Slavin facilitated the offense with a match-best 32 assists.

Next, Ithaca College will quickly turn around for another road match, traveling to Saratoga Springs, N.Y., to face Skidmore College at 2 p.m. in a Liberty League matchup.