POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (November 4, 2016) – The Vassar College women's volleyball team, playing in front of one of the best volleyball crowds ever at the College, was able to punch its ticket for the Liberty League Championship thanks to a thrilling five-set win over Rochester Institute of Technology Friday evening in play from Kenyon Hall. VC won with scores of 25-17, 19-25, 25-21, 25-27 and 15-11.

The Brewers (21-9) will take on second-seeded Clarkson University Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m. in Kenyon Hall, as the Golden Knights knocked off Union College in the earlier semifinal from Kenyon Hall. Friday evening treated the packed house in Kenyon Hall to a thriller though, full of twists, turns, rallies and big time plays.

The first set saw the Brewers hit .346, thanks to six kills on eight swings from sophomore hitter Devan Gallagher. VC used a 6-2 run early in the set to take a lead, keeping that advantage until 16-13. Vassar would put the gas down at that point, as the Brewers went on a six-point stretch to take a 22-13 lead and rolling to first-game win.

The second set was back-and-forth, but RIT was the more potent team offensively as Sarah Szybist chalked up six kills while helping the Tigers to 14 kills in the game. With the score 9-8 in favor of the Brewers, RIT scored five straight points capped by a kill from Sarah DelVecchio. The Brewers rallied to tie the set at 15, but RIT responded with another 7-1 spurt to pull away for the game two win.

Vassar would take a 2-1 set lead in the third, as Gallagher went for six more kills while holding Szybist to three kills and four errors to earn the win. The set remained close, as it was tied at 19, but the Brewers notched three straight and clinched the game on an ace by senior Gabby Miller.

The fourth set was one of the most exciting sets of the season, with the Tigers taking a quick 6-2 lead after a kill from Szybist. The Brewers powered back on the strength of freshman Jane McLeod, taking a 10-8 lead after a kill from McLeod. With VC up 21-16, RIT went on a 4-0 run to make it 21-20, but Vassar score three straight to push the match to set point.

The Tigers wouldn't go away, as Liz Wunder posted a kill and Rebecca Bennett served three straight aces to tie the match at 24. After the two teams exchanged points, Sara Taylor posted a kill and RIT forced an attacking error to send the match to five.

In the fifth set, VC's defense would come to the forefront, holding the Tigers to .048 hitting and just five kills. With the Tigers leading 7-5, the hosts went on a 6-0 run to take an 11-7 edge and held the lead as VC earned match point at 14-9 after a block by Miller and junior Bria Corham. At 14-11, the Brewers earned the win as Miller blasted a pass from Annie MacMillan down to the floor as the Brewer faithful erupted.

McLeod matched a career-best with 22 terminations, adding nine digs while hitting .348 to pace the Brewers. Gallagher finished with 18 kills as well on 47 attempts, while Miller chalked up 11 kills, seven digs and two assisted blocks.

MacMillan continued to dish out assists, finished with 46 helpers, and was great everywhere else as well with four aces, nine digs and a block. Senior Sierra Tobin had a match-high 17 digs for Vassar, along with two aces, and Jorden Schreeder added 11 digs and two aces.

RIT was led for one final time by one of the best hitters to every play in the Liberty League and NCAA Division III in Sarah Szybist, who pounded down 25 terminations. She also added 13 digs, two assists and two aces in an amazing all-around effort.

Taylor added kills for RIT, and Anna Valentine finished with eight kills, eight assists and 12 digs. Erin Parkinson also posted a double-double with 40 assists and 12 digs. Bennett finished with 14 digs to lead the Tigers (21-18).