PITTSBURGH, PA – The University of Rochester volleyball team split on the opening day of UAA conference play, defeating Case Western Reserve 3-2 while dropping a 3-1 decision to #7 Emory at Carnegie Mellon University.
 
After the afternoon loss to the Eagles (12-3, 1-0 UAA), Rochester was able to respond, rallying from 2-1 down to win in five sets over the Spartans (13-4, 1-1 UAA).  The win moves UR to 12-6 on the season and 1-1 in UAA play.
 
In the opener, the Eagles took the first game 25-20, but UR was able to bounce back winning the second set 25-23.  In a third straight tight contest, Emory won the third 25-21 before winning the match with a 25-17 triumph in the fourth set.
 
Rochester improved its hitting percentage in every set, going from .000 in the opening set to .111, .172 and .242 in the last.  Senior setter Aimee Kohler impressed in the match, smacking six kills while also adding 38 assists and eight digs.
 

Alara Kocak led all UR players with 11 kills on 32 attempts while Clara Martinez added nine and two blocks.  Alexandra Nelligan swatted six kills while Alexandra Goldman chipped in five.  Meghan Connor added 19 digs.
 
Three players for Emory had 10+ kills, led by Sarah Maher who had 14.  Sydney Leimbach had 13 while Jessica Holler added 11.  10 blocks helped the Eagles with Holler contributing three solo and four assisted blocks.
 
Against Case Western Reserve, the Yellowjackets were able to comfortably take the opening set 25-17.  The Spartans rebounded with tight wins in sets two and three, by 25-20 and 25-21 scores.  But Case was unable to close out the match, as Rochester would rally with a 25-20 fourth set and 15-11 fifth set win to seal the victory.
 
Rochester put it all together in the final set, hitting an impressive .455, with 11 kills and one error on 22 attempts.  Kohler once again led the way, recording 19 digs, six kills and 52 assists.  That total is second most in her career and ranks in the top-10 in a single match in UR history.
 
Goldman was a top performer for UR along the front line, swatting 12 kills and adding six blocks (3 solo).  Martinez had a team high 14 kills and three aces while Shira Katz hit .385 with 12 kills in the match.  Connor added 20 digs while Nina Baek chipped in 16 of her own.  Both Nelligan and Beth Gyhzel also added eight kills apiece.
 
Rochester finishes UAA Round Robin #1 play on Sunday with a 10 am match against NYU.