ROCHESTER, NY (nazathletics.com)- Nazareth Women's Volleyball dropped a pair of matches Saturday afternoon inside Kidera Gymnasium. The Golden Flyers battled back from a two-set deficit before falling to Russell Sage 3-2 in their opening match, then dropped a 3-1 decision to RIT to close out the day.

HOW IT HAPPENED: 

GAME ONE vs Russell Sage College 

• Russell Sage took control early, winning the opening two sets 25-19 and 25-15 to put Nazareth in a difficult position.

• The Golden Flyers responded in the third set, recording 15 kills and a .406 hitting percentage to earn a 25-21 victory and extend the match.

• Nazareth continued its comeback in the fourth set, taking a 25-22 win to force a decisive fifth set.

• Russell Sage held off the Golden Flyers in the final set, winning 15-10 to secure the 3-2 victory.

GAME TWO vs RIT 

• RIT started strong, taking the first set 25-17 before earning a closely contested 25-22 victory in the second set.

• Nazareth responded in the third set, defeating the Tigers 25-20 to keep the match alive.

• The Golden Flyers battled in the fourth set, but RIT pulled away to take a 25-20 victory and secure the match.

• Nazareth finished with 33 kills and 12 service aces against RIT.

GAME NOTES:

• Leah Fusilli led Nazareth offensively against Russell Sage with 18 kills and 14 digs. She followed that performance with a team-high 12 kills, nine digs and two aces against RIT.

• Alana Lucey added 11 kills and three blocks against Russell Sage before recording seven kills and four block assists against RIT.

• Hailey Trank recorded 24 assists and 10 digs in the opening match, while Anna Malbone contributed 17 assists.

• Sloane Bell helped lead Nazareth against RIT with seven kills and a match-high five service aces for the Golden Flyers. Katie Evans also contributed 11 assists.

• Nazareth recorded 49 kills against Russell Sage, highlighted by its strong third-set performance, before adding 12 service aces in the afternoon match against RIT.

UP NEXT:

Nazareth returns to Empire 8 action Friday, Oct. 16, when the Golden Flyers host SUNY Brockport at 6 p.m. inside Kidera Gymnasium.

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