Rochester, N.Y. - In a tightly contested, back-and-forth match the Roberts Wesleyan women's volleyball team fell 3-2 to New York Institute of Technology on Friday night.
 
The Redhawks came out strong in the first set jumping out to a 6-2 lead against the talented Bears team. Following an NYIT service error, senior Alexandre Tahauri had back-to-back kills to give the Redhawks the four point cushion. Midway through the first set the Bears stormed back to take a one point lead after rallying for five straight points. Tiffany Verni had three kills in that offensive stretch. But Roberts Wesleyan would outlast the Bears and take the set 25-23.
 
In the second set the Redhawks saw a 16-10 lead dissolve as NYIT fought back on the shoulders of Verni and Karolina Moderova. The Bears won the set 26-24 to tie the match up 1-1.
 
Service errors were the story of the third period that saw NYIT claim the set to go up 2-1 in the match. The Redhawks combined for seven service errors that opened the door for the Bears to take the lead heading into the fourth set.
 
Roberts Wesleyan was able to put the third set errors behind them and win the fourth set 25-20 behind the offense of Courtney Taylor who led the Redhaws with 18 kills.
 
In the final set the Redhawks played nearly point for point with the Bears to begin, but NYIT began to extend their lead going up 10-6 and finally getting the win 15-10 to take the set and the match.
 
Setter Elisabeth Rivera had 45 assists on the night while Olivia Zureck added 21 digs.
 
Roberts Wesleyan (5-7, 2-1 ECC) will continue ECC play on Saturday when they host LIU Post at noon.