PITTSBURGH – The Case Western Reserve University volleyball team concluded regular season conference play with a 1-1 performance on day two of the second and final University Athletic Association Round Robin of the fall on Sunday at the University Center. The Spartans rallied from a 2-0 deficit to upend New York University, 3-2, but fell in the finale versus No. 12 nationally-ranked University of Chicago, 3-1.

The Spartans finish the weekend at 2-2 and move to 18-8 overall with a 4-3 mark in the Association. The 4-3 conference slate is good for fourth in the UAA standings heading into the conference championship tournament early next month.

Versus NYU (13-10, 1-5 UAA), the Spartans fell behind after the Violets claimed the first two sets, 25-20 and 25-16. Undaunted, Case rallied with three-consecutive set victories of 25-19, 25-22 and 15-11.

Three players finished with double-figures in kills as Case totaled 57 for the match. Sophomore middle hitter Natalie Southard (Buffalo, N.Y./City Honors School) was the leader with 16, while freshman MH Caitlin Shipp (Cincinnati, Ohio/Mount Notre Dame) finished with a season-high 13.

Senior setter Breana Freeman (Geneva, Ohio/Geneva) paced the attack with 44 assists—her second-highest total of the season. The senior captain also added 16 digs for her 10th double-double of 2012.

Leading the defense was senior libero Rachel Gulasey (Cleveland, Ohio/Magnificat) with 33 digs, while senior defensive specialists Kara Monnin (Minster, Ohio/Minster) and Alexandria Drake (Phoenix, Ariz./Shadow Mountain) added 18 and 14, respectively.

Against Chicago (20-6, 6-1 UAA), the match was tied after two as the Maroons won the first set, 25-19, and the Spartans won the second, 26-24. However, Chicago pulled the match out with consecutive victories of 25-20 and 25-23.

Senior right side hitter Hanna Collins (Londonderry, N.H./Londonderry) had one of her best matches as a Spartan with a career high-tying 13 kills versus just two errors in 26 attempts (.423). Southard and freshman outside hitter Carolyn Bogart (New Berlin, Wis./New Berlin Eisenhower) each totaled 11 kills.

Freeman once again set the table with 43 assists, while Gulasey paced the defense with 34 digs. Southard also aided the defense with three block solos and a pair of block assists.

The Spartans now open a stretch of five home matches in 11 days versus Hiram College on Wednesday, October 17 at 7:00 p.m. at Horsburgh Gymnasium in Cleveland.