No. 13 Tufts 3, No. 18 Ithaca 1 (25-21, 19-25, 25-21, 28-26)
The Bombers opened the day with a hard-fought battle against the nationally ranked Jumbos.
Tufts jumped out to an early lead in the opening set, earning a 25-21 victory. Ithaca remained within striking distance throughout the frame, but the Jumbos created separation late to take a 1-0 lead.
The Bombers responded in the second set with one of their strongest stretches of the match.
Ithaca played with increased energy and consistency, taking control midway through the frame and securing a 25-19 victory to even the match at one set apiece.
The third set once again featured a back-and-forth battle between the nationally ranked teams.
After exchanging points early, Tufts began to regain control and used a late push to take the set, 25-21. The Jumbos moved within one set of the victory, while Ithaca needed a fourth-set win to force a deciding fifth frame.
The fourth set proved to be the most dramatic of the match. Neither team was able to pull away as the Bombers and Jumbos battled through long rallies and pressure-filled points. With the set tied late, the teams continued trading points well beyond the standard 25-point mark. Tufts ultimately closed out the match with a 28-26 victory.
Despite the loss, Ithaca received strong performances throughout its lineup.
Brianna Owens led the Bombers offensively with 16 kills. Gabby Gonzalez-Abreu and Naomi Clauhs each added 11 kills, giving Ithaca three players with double-digit kills.
Clauhs also reached a major career milestone, recording her 1,000th career kill.
Wesley Slavin orchestrated the Bombers' offense with 42 assists while adding 14 digs. Karina Garcia matched Slavin with 14 digs and contributed three service aces.
At the net, Ellena Chappell led Ithaca with eight blocks, while Addison Leadbetter added six as the Bombers worked to slow Tufts' attack.
No. 18 Ithaca 3, Scranton 0 (25-20, 29-27, 25-21)
The Bombers and Royals battled throughout all three sets, with both teams trading momentum and putting pressure on one another at the net. Ithaca remained composed in the decisive moments, using strong offensive execution and timely defensive plays to secure the sweep.
Ithaca opened the match with its largest set victory of the afternoon, taking the first set, 25-20.
The Bombers established an early advantage and maintained control late in the set, preventing Scranton from mounting a comeback.
The Royals pushed back in the second set, forcing the Bombers into extra points in the most competitive frame of the match. Ithaca and Scranton exchanged leads before the Bombers ultimately prevailed, 29-27. The victory gave Ithaca a 2-0 lead and provided important momentum heading into the final set.
The Bombers closed out the match in the third set, earning a 25-21 victory to complete the sweep and finish the weekend on a high note. Ithaca pulled away late after another closely contested set, securing its second win of the invitational.
Addison Leadbetter led all players with 19 kills, consistently providing a strong presence in the Bombers' attack. Brianna Owens followed closely behind with 17 kills of her own, helping Ithaca maintain offensive pressure throughout the match.
Wesley Slavin directed the Bombers' offense with 42 assists, distributing the ball effectively across the court. Jamie Low led Ithaca defensively with 19 digs, followed by Karina Garcia with 12. Low and Garcia also contributed two aces apiece, adding to the Bombers' strong all-around performance.
With the victory, the Bombers finished the Scranton Invitational with a 2-1 record after earning wins over No. 3-ranked Berry College and Scranton, while falling to No. 13-ranked Tufts University. The weekend gave Ithaca valuable experience against nationally ranked competition and allowed the team to build momentum early in the season.
Ithaca will return home next weekend to host the Bomber Invitational. The two-day tournament will feature matchups against Carnegie Mellon University, Johns Hopkins University and Babson College as the Bombers open their home schedule.
Tournament MVP - Addison Leadbetter (Ithaca)
All-Tournament Team
- Scranton - Adria Vargas
- Ithaca - Wesley Slavin
- Tufts - Maiwenn Kamdje
- Berry - Madie Whitehead
