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HOBOKEN, N.J. -- Second-seeded Nazareth dominated third-seeded Ithaca Friday in the semifinals of the Empire 8 Conference Tournament for women's volleyball. The Golden Flyers won in three sets, rallying to win the first 25-22, then cruising in sets two and three 25-15 and 25-13.

With victories in five straight matches, Nazareth improved to 26-9 overall and will play again Saturday in search of its fourth straight conference title and 12th trip to the NCAA Division III Tournament. Nazareth will play top-seeded Stevens in the championship match at 4 p.m. The Ducks advanced with a three-set sweep of fourth-seeded Houghton in the other semifinal.

After struggling to a three-point win in the opening set, the Golden Flyers dominated sets two and three to defeat the Bombers for the second time this season and to set up a rematch of last year's title match. Senior Kassandra Buseck pounded out a match-high 14 kills against just two hitting errors in 25 attempts for a .480 hitting percentage. Junior Jennifer Hicks added 13 kills on 26 swings for a .346 percentage. Seniors Maria Allocco and Olivia Harrigan each had eight kills. Nazareth hit a robust .356 as a team (49-12-104).

The opening set proved pivotal Friday as Nazareth trailed 20-15 before rallying. Hicks had seven of her kills in the set, including four of the final 10 points. Down 20-15, Nazareth got an ace and a kill from Allocco, three kills by Buseck, four by Hicks and one by sophomore Cady Messmer to complete the comeback.

The second set was tied at 5-5 before Nazareth pulled away by scoring eight of the next nine points. The third was never close as Nazareth scored the first seven points and cruised from there.

Sophomore Madi Wickens contributed 39 assists and four service aces and sophomore libero Maureen Thayer led all defenders with 16 digs.