Ithaca, N.Y. ? Sept. 27, 2008 ? The Robert Morris Colonials, led by sixth-year head coach Rob Thomas, put forth an impressive performance at the Cornell Invitational, winning two five-set matches against Ivy League opponents, Cornell and Columbia.

In match one against Cornell, Robert Morris started off with a slight struggle falling to the Big Red, 19-25. Cornell put down 15 kills to the Colonials' eight to earn the set one advantage. In set two, seniors Emily Wolthuis (Byron Center, Mich. / South Christian) and Cassie Lee (Vista, Calif. / Vista) gave the Colonials a surge earning five and three kills, respectively to lead Robert Morris to a 25-22 win.  In the victory, the Colonials nearly doubled their kills from the first set with 15.

The two competitors traded wins again with Cornell taking the third set, 21-25. However, Robert Morris entered the fourth set, executing on every opportunity to swap scores with the Big Red and win, 25-21. The squad's momentum carried over into the final to win 15-11 and earn the first five-set match of the season.

In the victory, Wolthuis picked up her fourth double-double of the season, earning a season high 17 digs to go along with 11 kills. Sophomore middle blocker Amanda Graham (Melbourne, Fla. / Eau Gallie) grabbed a career high eight block assists, while freshman middle blocker Hannah Veith's (Columbus, Ohio / Worthington) performance earned her six block assists and eight kills.

Lee also put up a strong performance, earning nine kills, eight digs and five blocks. Freshmen setter, Alyssa Bennett (Ramona, Calif. / Ramona) did a solid job directing the offense, earning a team high 36 assists on top of eight kills, a .412 hitting average and four blocks.

Sophomore outside hitter Charla Drabant (Wheaton, Ill. / Wheaton North) and senior libero Alaina Gibson (Muncie, Ind. / Muncie Burris) also earned double-digit digs with, 12 and 16, respectively.

After pulling out a five-set win against Cornell, the Colonials came right back onto the court and fought through another match to earn their second five-set victory. In set one, the Colonials earned 12 kills to Columbia's 7 to earn the 25-19 win. Veith's strong play from match one carried over, as she led the Colonials in set one with three kills.

Columbia's strong serving took the Colonials a bit off guard in the second set, leading the Lions to a 25-13 victory. However, Robert Morris answered back in set three, trading scores with Columbia, winning 25-13. Wolthuis and Veith both put up four kills, while Graham contributed with three to earn the victory.

Despite, identical blocking performances by the Lions and the Colonials with four blocks a piece, Columbia grabbed the 25-19 win by putting down four more kills. However, Robert Morris would not be silenced and started set five with an 8-0 lead. Although the Lions tried to rally their way back into the match, they were never able to catch up to the Colonials and were defeated 15-9.  

A trio of Colonials earned double-digit kills in the win, with Graham earning 15 kills, Wolthuis grabbing 12 and Veith capturing a career high 11 kills on a .444 average.

Gibson accumulated a season high 22 digs, while Wolthuis put up 12 digs. Bennett dished out a match high 47 assists, three kills, a .500 hitting average, two service aces and two blocks and Lee contributed a pair of seven kills and seven digs, to go along with five blocks.

The Colonials are now 10-4 and will head to Binghamton on Sunday, Sept. 28, 2008 to take on the Bearcats.