ITHACA, N.Y. – The top-seeded Ithaca College women's volleyball team continued its strong season Friday afternoon, hosting fourth-seeded Union College at Ben Light Gymnasium and earning a straight-set victory in the Liberty League Semifinals. The Bombers controlled the match throughout, taking the three sets by scores of 25-21, 25-15 and 25-19.
Ithaca faced an early challenge in the opening set as the two teams traded points. The Bombers began to create separation midway through the set, using a strong serving run from
Jamie Low, who recorded back-to-back service aces to help spark a stretch of four consecutive points. Ithaca maintained its advantage down the stretch, closing out the first set, 25-21.
The Bombers carried that momentum into the second set, quickly building an advantage behind strong offensive execution.
Gabriela Gonzalez-Abreu sparked a run with back-to-back service aces before Ithaca continued to extend its lead.
Addison Leadbetter added a service ace of her own during the stretch, while the Bombers' defense helped limit Union's opportunities. Ithaca pulled away late to secure a 25-15 victory and take a two-set lead.
Union kept the third set competitive early, with the teams trading points through the opening stages. After the teams were tied at 13-13, Ithaca rattled off six consecutive points, including five with Low at the service line, to take a 19-13 advantage. The Bombers continued to build on that lead, eventually closing out the match with a 25-19 win.
Leading the way offensively for the Bombers was
Naomi Clauhs, who finished with a team-high 12 kills. Leadbetter added nine kills while hitting .500, and Gonzalez-Abreu contributed seven kills.
Wesley Slavin directed the offense with 34 assists, helping the Bombers finish with 41 kills and a .252 hitting percentage.
Ithaca also found success from the service line, recording 11 aces as a team.
Brianna Owen led the way with three aces, while Low, Leadbetter,
Karina Garcia and Gonzalez-Abreu each added two. Defensively, Garcia led the Bombers with 11 digs, while Low and
Renee McGowan each added six. At the net, Owen led the way with four block assists, while Leadbetter contributed two.
The victory extends the nationally ranked Bombers' winning streak to 19 matches as they await the winner of the No. 2 William Smith and No. 3 Vassar College semifinal. Ithaca will take on the winner in tomorrow's Liberty League Championship match, scheduled for 2 p.m.
