After a 2-0 start to the UR Volleyball Invitational on Friday night, Skidmore and SUNY New Paltz earned wins over the University of Rochester on Saturday, sending its tournament record to 2-2 on the weekend.
 
In the opening match, Skidmore was able to jump on top early and take the first set 25-19.  In the second, UR was up early, but the visiting Thoroughbreds (5-1) would chip away and take the set 25-22.  The third was a battle of runs with Skidmore getting up early 10-3 advantage before UR would rattle off 10 of 11 points to take the lead.  Rochester's advantage went all the way to 22-18, but Skidmore closed with a 7-1 run taking the set and the match.
 
Rochester (2-6) was led by senior Savannah Benton who had 9 kills, 8 digs and 2 blocks.  Sophomore Jennie Ford had eight kills and 13 digs while freshman Alex Goldman added eight kills.  Junior setter Xiaoyi Li added 34 assists while freshman libero Meghan Connor had 17 digs.
 
In the second game of the day, UR and New Paltz would trade impressive wins during the first two sets.  Rochester would take the first 25-19 while the visiting Hawks would rebound in the second with a 25-11 win.  New Paltz would then take an exciting back and forth 3rd set 25-23 and would carry that momentum and take the fourth set in 25-10.
 
Benton was once again the Yellowjackets top hitter, smashing 13 kills and adding seven digs.  Ford added in eight kills and seven digs while Li provided 25 assists and seven digs.
 
New Paltz, with a perfect 4-0 record on the weekend took the team title while Skidmore ended in second with a 3-1 record.  Rochester finished 3rd of the six teams with a 2-2 record while Oswego State, St. John Fisher and Hamilton each went 1-3 over the two days.
 
Rochester next volleyball match comes on Wednesday when they travel to Buffalo State at 7 pm.