Baltimore, MD – The Lasers' season came to a close with a first-round loss to Ithaca College in the NCAA Tournament, ending their tournament run at the hands of the Bombers. After earning an automatic qualifier during playoffs, the Lasers returned to Johns Hopkins for the second consecutive year to compete in the NCAA Regionals.
The match began with both teams evenly matched, exchanging points back and forth. Neither team could establish a significant lead, with the score staying close until it reached an 18-18 tie. At that point, Ithaca went on a three-point run, taking the first set 25-22 and seizing a 1-0 advantage.
Ithaca's dominance grew in the second set, where they opened with a commanding nine-point run. While Lasell fought hard, with key kills from McKenna McCool and Sydney Katz leading the offense, they struggled to find consistent rhythm against Ithaca's strong attacking play. The Bombers closed out the set 25-15, extending their lead to 2-0.
Lasell showed signs of life in the third set, with Andrea Aceituno and McCool continuing to push the offense forward. Freshman defensive specialist Analee Ronas also stepped up, delivering crucial digs that kept the Lasers within striking distance. Despite their efforts, Ithaca's offense remained too strong, and they finished the match with a 25-20 win in the final set, claiming the victory 3-0.
Despite the loss, the Lasers showcased their game with standout performances from several players. Eliana Baran put up eight kills on the match while McCool put up seven. Katz had a standout performance for the Lasers, putting up 20 assists, 3 digs, and 3 blocks. Maddie Caro and Ronas put up eight digs a piece on the match.
This loss marks the end of the Lasers' 2024 campaign, but the team's impressive journey throughout the season is one to be proud of. With an automatic qualifier into the NCAA Regionals and a hard-fought match against a strong Ithaca squad, the Lasers demonstrated their their ability to challenge top-tier teams.