Drue Sokol, Photo Editor
The UR women’s volleyball team tied for first place in the New York Regional Tournament, which was held in the Palestra this past weekend. The Yellowjackets tied SUNY Fredonia, who they didn’t face in the tournament, with both teams boasting perfect 4-0 records.
“Our team was successful this weekend because we worked together and played passionately,” senior Casey Larsen said. “We took control of every game. Doing well in this tournament was a goal for our team and it was exciting to be a part of such an exhilarating atmosphere.”
Larsen and classmate Katie Kao were recognized before the start of the home team’s match against SUNY Brockport on Friday in honor of senior night.
After falling behind SUNY Brockport, dropping the first set, 21-25, UR quickly recovered in the second by running up an early 8-0 lead. The Yellowjackets continued to dominate and won the second set easily, 25-9. The remaining sets weren’t so simple, but UR pulled out close wins, 25-20 and 25-19, respectively, to claim the match. Larsen shined by racking up six kills and 16 digs in the Brockport match.
UR also won its second match, 3-0, over St. Lawrence University later that night.
The Yellowjackets decisively won the first two sets with scores of 25-15 and 25-8, but the third was more interesting. St. Lawrence came back from a 5-1 UR lead and dueled back and forth with the home team seemingly point for point. However, UR was able to beat back the Saints and won the set with a score of 25-22 to close out the team’s second victory of the night. Juniors Savannah Benton and Kelly Mulrey each contributed seven kills to the effort.
On Saturday morning, UR returned to the court to take on Lycoming College. Benton paced the ‘Jackets with an impressive 14 kills, and the Yellowjackets swept the board with scores of 25-12, 25-22 and 25-15.
In the final match of the tournament, UR defeated an aggressive squad in crosstown rival Rochester Institute of Technology. UR won the first set with a score of 25-20, but RIT fought back to narrowly win the second, 26-28.
Undeterred, the Yellowjackets won the third set, 25-17, then proceeded to crush the Tigers, 25-7, to make the undefeated showing official.
The Yellowjackets will play the University of Chicago on Friday, Nov. 4 in the first round of the UAA Championships in New York City.
“Our team is aiming to make the NCAA tournament,” Larsen said. “It will take a lot of hard work at practice this weekend and wins next weekend at the UAA Conference Finals.”
Bates is a member of the class of 2014.
