Ithaca Closes Weekend at Kean Classic with 3-0 Sweep of the Cougars
Union, N.J. – The Ithaca volleyball team (6-6) opened day two of the 2011 Cougar Classic with a 3-0 (25-18, 25-19, 25-11) loss to Southern Vermont (13-2) before a 3-0 (25-21, 25-20, 25-16) straight-set sweep of host Kean (4-9). Senior Karin Edsall (Cornwall Central/Cornwall) and juniorMarissa Weil(Corning West/Corning) were named to the all-tournament team.
The Bombers got into an early 13-5 deficit before inching back within four, 21-17, in the first frame. The Mountaineers gave up just one of the final five points to take the game, 25-18.
In the second set, Ithaca opened strong and took a 10-7 lead before surrendering the advantage for good at 14-13. Though the second was knotted on several occasions, Southern Vermont claimed the stanza, 25-19, on a 5-1 run.
The Mountaineers outlasted Ithaca to take the third and final frame, 25-11. Southern Vermont took an early 4-1 lead and capitalized on it for a double-digit, 14-4, advantage. Four consecutive points helped the Bombers to pull within six, 14-8, but the Mountaineers ran away with the lead to finalize the match in straight sets.
Junior Marissa Woodcome (Pittsford Sutherland/Pittsford) set for 22 assists as senior Kate Thoene (Voorhees/High Bridge, N.J.) and Weil tallied eight and seven kills, respectively, to lead the Bombers.
Ithaca opened Saturday’s second match strong and rebounded from the loss to the Mountaineers with a 3-0 sweep of the Cougars.
Ithaca tallied the match’s first two points and never looked back. The Bombers took an 11-7 lead which they added to for a 15-8 gap in the first. Kean brought the game within one, 21-20, but Ithaca posted four consecutive points to take a 1-0 series advantage.
The second stint was knotted on 10 occasions, lastly at 13-13. Ithaca powered to a 21-16 cushion before closing out the set, 25-20.
The Bombers opened the third and final game with a 7-2 run and maintained a steady advantage to close out weekend action. The Blue & Gold claimed the match in three with a 25-16 third-set victory.
Woodcome put up a match-best 28 assists and Weil connected for a match-high 10 kills. Sophomore Nicki Readie (Pascack Hills/Montvale, N.J.) recorded 11 digs. Edsall posted an attack percentage of 41.7 with five kills on 12 attacks.
Southern Vermont Box Score | Kean Box Score