Women’s Volleyball Drops Two To Conclude Ithaca Invitational

ITHACA, N.Y. – The Wells College women's volleyball team posted back-to-back losses to conclude the Ithaca College Invitational, held on Saturday within the Ben Light Gymnasium on the campus of Ithaca College. Wells exits this weekend of play with a 4-18 overall record on the season.

Against the host Bombers of Ithaca College in the opening match, Wells lost in straight sets (17-25, 20-25, 19-25) and later posted a 3-1 loss to Utica (25-18, 21-25, 18-25, 13-25) after opening the match with a victory in the first set.

In the first set against Ithaca, Wells possessed a 14-12 lead after a kill from freshman Stephanie Parker (Dryden, N.Y.). The Bombers, however, went on a seven point run to capture a 19-14 lead following three kills and two service aces. Sophomore Zakarra Butts (Cortland, N.Y.) and freshman Meredith Kadjeski (Mechanicsburg, Pa.) combined for a block assist in the second set, bringing Wells within two points late to set the score at 20-18, Ithaca. For Ithaca, Rylie Bean chipped in with three kills en route to the 25-20 second set loss.

Wells also attempted a late comeback in the third set, but Ithaca was able to keep the Express at arm's length. A service error by Dylan Gawinski Stern brought Wells back to within one (19-18), but three Ithaca kills combined with three Wells attacking errors eliminated any third set comeback by the Express.

For the Express, Kadjeski led all players with nine kills to her credit. Sophomore Taryn Heath (Truxton, N.Y.) assisted 18 of her team's 29 kills while libero Nicole Loeven (Pawling, N.Y.) and Nadine Pershyn (Buffalo, N.Y.) each recorded six digs in the loss. For Ithaca, Bean posted a team-leading 14 kills while Carly Garone assisted 35 of her team's 40 kills. Defensively, Bean chipped in 11 digs for the Bombers.

Versus the Pioneers of Utica College, Wells jumped out to an early 1-0 lead before falling in three straight sets. With the score tied at 17 apiece, Wells was able to spark a six point run to grant the Express lead after utilizing Utica attacking errors and two Kadjeski service aces. A kill by Gina Cairns (Delhi, N.Y.) ultimately granted Wells a 25-18 victory.

Kadjeski posted 19 kills for Wells on the match while Butts chipped in 11 kills of her own for the Express. Heath assisted all but three of her team's 40 assists while four players recorded double-digit dig totals – Cairns, Kadjeski, Loeven and Pershyn. For her performance across the two-day tournament, Kadjeski earned placement on the Ithaca College Tournament All-Tournament Team.

Wells returns to action Saturday, Oct. 19 as they face-off against Penn St.-Abington and Gallaudet University in a noontime match in Washington, D.C.