ROCHESTER, NY (September 17, 2016) – The Vassar College women's volleyball team finished the weekend 3-1 in Liberty League action, highlighted by knocking off Clarkson University in play from Clark Gym on the campus of Rochester Institute of Technology. In the second contest of the day, RIT knocked off the Brewers in four games.

The loss, an 18-25, 25-14, 25-21 and 25-21 victory for Vassar, was the first defeat for Clarkson University in its last 47 Liberty League outings. The Brewers would run into the Sarah Szybist buzz saw in the final match of the weekend, as the RIT outside hitter totaled 30 kills in knocking off VC 25-16, 28-26, 20-25 and 25-21.

"As much as we would have loved to come home 4-0, we feel good about the start of League play," said head coach Jonathan Penn. "I'm especially pleased with our flexibility and depth. A lot of people made a lot of good things happen. It's an exciting beginning."

Vassar 3, Clarkson 1
The Brewers leaned heavily on their offense in the upset win of the preseason Liberty League pick to win the conference, as Vassar hit .273 for the match while posting 61 kills in the victory. The 61 terminations were the most this season, and also were the most since posting 61 against New Paltz back on October 24, 2012.

In the opening set, Clarkson (8-4, 3-1 Liberty League) was the aggressor, posting a .357 hitting percentage while pulling away late in the set. Vassar tied the set at 17 after a kill from freshman Jane McLeod, but the Golden Knights posted an 8-1 run down the stretch capped by a Maddie Bredehoeft finish to earn the 25-18 win.

The Brewers would get back into the match in the second game, highlighted by six kills by McLeod and 17 team finishes to even the match at one game apiece. The third and pivotal set saw the Brewers take an early advantage, leading by six at 16-10 after a kill by Devan Gallagher. Clarkson pulled to within two at 18-16, but VC was able to hold the Golden Knights at bay thanks to three kills from Gallagher.

In the fourth game, CU led 14-13 after a kill from Rachael Aird but Vassar once again rallied thanks to two service aces by Bria Corham and take terminations by McLeod. The Golden Knights trimmed Vassar's lead to three on three different occasions, but McLeod delivered the final blow with a kill at 24-21 to give VC the huge win.

Gallagher chalked up a new personal best in the kill category, hitting .348 for the match while posting 21 terminations. McLeod finished with a huge double-double of 19 kills and 15 digs, while setter Annie MacMillan also posted five digs and a career-high 54 assists.

Senior Sierra Tobin registered 22 digs to lead all players, and fellow senior Gabby Miller also had 10 kills on .333 hitting. Freshman Jorden Schreeder also chalked up eight defensive ups for the Brewers.

RIT 3, Vassar 1
The Brewers seven-match winning streak was ended in the second contest of the day on Saturday, mostly because of the efforts from RIT's senior star, Sarah Szybist. The outside hitter chalked up 30 kills and 16 digs, earning the kill total on 71 attempts.

RIT took the first set 25-16, but the second game was a thriller, with both teams going on extended runs in a back-and-forth set. Vassar took a 16-10 advantage after a 7-1 run, but the Tigers answered with a 8-1 run of their own to pull ahead at 18-17.

Vassar would regain the lead with a 6-1 spurt to make the score 24-20 after a kill by McLeod. The Tigers wouldn't go away, winning the next five points to take a 25-24 lead. VC responded with two straight points, but RIT chalked up the last three critical points including a kill by Szybist at 27-26 to clinch the set.

VC controlled the third game from the start, leading by as much as seven at 20-13 after a block by Miller and Colette Cambey. The Brewers would trim RIT's lead in half with the third set win, holding the hosts to .103 hitting in the set. In the last game, the Tigers chalked up 18 kills to earn the 25-21 win, going 3-1 on the weekend as well.

Gallagher posted 18 kills in the nightcap for Vassar, hitting .395 for the match. Miller and Corham each had five kills apiece, and MacMillan also posted 30 assists and seven digs. Tobin tied for the match lead for 16 digs, and Schreeder added 12 digs as well for VC. Miller led Vassar with six total blocks, while Cambey also had three rejections in the loss.

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Vassar is off for the next six days before continuing Liberty League play against Bard College and RIT at Bard College next Friday evening at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. in Annandale-on-Hudson, NY.