ITHACA, NY – The Ithaca College softball team defeated Framingham State in three straight sets at its home court, Ben Light Gymnasium, in the first round of the NCAA tournament. The Bombers advance to the second round to face Babson on Friday, Nov. 17 at 7 p.m.
Continue!!
Tomorrow we return to Ben Light for a second round match against Babson😎#GoBombers | #WeOverMe | #D3VB pic.twitter.com/9DmsEj5pBG
— Ithaca Volleyball (@IthacaVB) November 17, 2023
VS. Framingham State (25-10, 25-15, 25-21)
The Bombers got off to a fast start, taking a 3-0 lead. Gabriela Gonzalez-Abreu and Faith Sabatier opened the set with two back-to-back kills. The Bombers went on a big run with two Peyton Miller the diver brings the IC to the top, closing the first set as a result of excavations.
The Rams were hoping to enter the second set on a high note, but the Bombers offense was no match for them. Ella Graper, Faith Sabatierand Gabriela Gonzalez-Abreu chipped in with a combined six kills in a streak paired with one Ellie Benedict service ace.
The Bombers ended the second set 25-15. The set closed with two Jamie Koopman dump stealth attack on kills and kills Maddie Cox. Ithaca College was able to extend its lead over the Rams to two sets.
Ithaca College again took an early lead to open the third set, taking a 2-0 lead. Wesley Slavin Ben was able to help get the first three kills, which overclocked the Lights’ energy.
The Rams were eager to get themselves back into the game and the set was most evenly matched with the Bombers and Rams each scoring eight points. Framingham State forced a timeout call from the Ithaca College Bombers when they held a 12-8 lead early in the third.
When exiting a timeout, Ella Graper was able to bring energy to the team with a kill that cut the score to three (12-9). An assist Wesley Slavin into a Gabriela Gonzalez-Abreu kill the bombers in an effort to close the gap.
Ahead 18-11, the Bombers called another timeout hoping to bring some heat. Jamie Koopman came up with back-to-back kills, followed by an attack error for Anna Szymanski.
Jamie Koopman came out to play with two straight service aces, followed by a successful swing and assist kill Wesley Slavin. Koopman’s energy was the deciding factor in getting the Bombers back and tying the game at 20 points.
Framingham State showed a spurt of energy, rebounded and was quickly shut down by the Bombers, forcing a Framingham Rams timeout, Wesley Slavin He was hot on the service line with two aces in a row.
The teams traded the next few points to end the set with a 25-21 win. The win advances the Bombers to the Second Round of the 2023 NCAA Division III Tournament playoffs.
Jamie Koopman Had a great day for the Bombers, leading the student-athletes with 12 kills and adding two service aces. Gonzalez-Abreu added 10 kills and Faith Sabatier killed nine people. Ithaca College hit an excellent .425% for the night.
REACTIONS FROM HEAD COACH JOHAN DULFER, FAITH SABATIER AND ELLY BENEDICT
With the win, Ithaca College improves to 27-4 overall and advances to the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament. The Bombers, who have won 11 straight, will face Babson College (25-6) on Friday, Nov. 17 at 7 p.m.
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