CORTLAND, NY – The Wilkes University women's volleyball team dropped its opening match of the Cortland Invitational Friday night in four sets to RIT. Jamey Mikovich (Nesquehoning, PA/Panther Valley) recorded her tenth double-double of the season with 10 kills and 15 digs but the Tigers came out on top 3-1 (25-13, 20-25, 25-18, 25-19).

Wilkes saw its four-match win streak come to an end and fell to 12-5 overall with the defeat while RIT improved to 12-2.

After the Tigers took the opening set the Colonels were able to even the match at 1-1 when they came away with a 25-20 victory in set two behind a strong effort attacking at a .346 rate. RIT closed strong with victories in the next two sets to take the match.

Juliet Betke (Poplar Grove, IL/Belvidere North) was second on the team with 14 digs and she also had two of the Colonels four aces. Karlye Huffman (Sugar Run, PA/Wyalusing) had 25 assists while adding seven digs. Shayna Fehrle (Philadelphia, PA/St. Hubert) and Julie Murphy (Mountaintop, PA/Crestwood) both added five digs.

At the net Michele Natale (Kinnelon, NJ/Kinnelon) and Mikovich each had four total blocks. Natale added five kills on the night. Alex Ferrier (Cressona, PA/Blue Mountain) was second on the team with eight kills and Christie Challenger (Schuylkill Haven, PA/Blue Mountain) and Sierra Smith (Syracuse, NY/West Genesee) both tallied three kills.

The Colonels play two more games in the Cortland Invitational tomorrow (Saturday). Wilkes plays Morrisville State College at 11:00 a.m. before facing the hosts SUNY Cortland at 1:30 p.m.