POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (September 22, 2017) – In the first Liberty League matchup of the season, the Vassar College women's volleyball team defeated Rochester Institute of Technology in straight sets, 27-25, 25-22, 25-19. 
 
The first period was a fierce exchange of kills, each team staying within three points of each other for the entire set.  However, after a series of attack errors from RIT, the Brewers (9-3, 1-0 Liberty League) were able to capture the set, 27-25.  Sophomore Jane McLeod paced the offensive effort with six kills, while senior Bria Corham and sophomore Jennifer Kerbs led a strong blocking defense with a combined eight block assists. 
 
The second period tested the skills of both teams' passing; junior Annie MacMillan's 21 assists and freshman Anna Zucchero's eight digs kept the Brewers involved in long points, shutting down persistent attacking efforts by RIT's Taylor Higgins.  The Brewers pulled away in the last legs of the set, besting RIT 25-22. 
 
Vassar displayed calculated team efforts throughout the third period, achieving and maintaining a steady lead over RIT early on in the set.  Junior Devan Gallagher unleashed five kills quickly, bringing the Brewers to a 17-10 lead. Despite this, RIT continued to push forward, outpacing the Brewers in attack attempts and assists, eventually elevating the game to a closer margin.  Vassar was able to keep composure: after great defensive efforts from sophomore Jorden Schreeder and junior Lauren Ninkovich, the Brewers came away with the 25-19 win.
 
The win was earned by the offensive forces of Gallagher's 15 and McLeod's 10 kills, in addition to MacMillan's 30 assists.  MacMillan added five digs as well, while sophomore Colette Cambey hit .500 for the match with seven kills. Senior Bria Corham led the net presence for VC with four assisted blocks, and Zucchero finished with 13 digs. Schreeder added totals of nine digs, while Ninkovich posted eight digs and two aces.

"I thought there was a great communication from the front and back row in this match, and that really led to our success in this match," said Cambey. 
 
Higgins led all hitters with 16 kills on the evening for RIT (7-5, 0-1 Liberty League), as she also paced the team with 13 digs. Tiger junior setter Erin Parkinson nearly added a double-double as well with 30 assists and nine assists.  

"It's great to get it started in Liberty's and come away with that first win," said head coach Jonathan Penn. "We know the pressure is on with these matches since we're only seeing everybody once, little nervy in the first set but they showed a ton of character, ton of resiliance, and I think winning that first set really changed the tone of the match."
 
The strong Brewer defensive unit was tested by the 115 attack attempts by the RIT Tigers, and will be similarly challenged tomorrow in another conference matchup versus Ithaca College tomorrow at 1 p.m. in Kenyon Hall.