Hoboken, N.J.—The volleyball team lost in the championship match of the Empire 8 Championship Tournament, falling 27-25, 25-18, 25-18 to top-seeded Stevens Institute of Technology (26-9). The Bombers (23-17) advanced to the conference championship for the first time since 2006 after beating Nazareth in the semifinal round. Senior Corinna Doctor (Skaneateles/Skaneateles) picked up an ace in the match, giving her 282 in her career. Doctor matched Ithaca’s all-time record in the category.
Doctor, who became Ithaca’s all-time assist leader this season, has 49 aces on the season. Against Stevens, she picked up 31 assists and 10 digs, leading the Bombers in both categories.
Juniors Tina Orlandini (Flintridge Sacred Heart/Altadena, Calif.) and Taylor Horton (Lakeridge/Lake Oswego) matched Doctor with 10 digs apiece. Horton added a pair of aces.
Offensively, senior Rachel Busch (Hoover/North Canton, Ohio) was Ithaca’s leader with 11 kills. She hit .304 in the match. Sophomore Chelsea Hayes (Northern Valley Regional/Hawort, N.J.) chipped in seven kills and hit .308.
Freshman Stephanie Lavallato (Huntercon/Flemington, N.J.) added five kills and a pair of aces.
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