X

Bears volleyball splits on Day 1 of SUNYAC East Pool Play

Posted 9/24/11

ONEONTA, N.Y.—The SUNY Potsdam volleyball team (10-6, 1-1 SUNYAC) split two matches on the first day of SUNYAC East Pool Play. The Bears were swept 3-0 by host Oneonta State, before rallying to …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Bears volleyball splits on Day 1 of SUNYAC East Pool Play

Posted

ONEONTA, N.Y.—The SUNY Potsdam volleyball team (10-6, 1-1 SUNYAC) split two matches on the first day of SUNYAC East Pool Play. The Bears were swept 3-0 by host Oneonta State, before rallying to down Plattsburgh State 3-1.

In the early match against the Red Dragons (8-7, 1-1), Potsdam succumbed to a strong Oneonta attack and its own injuries to fall by scores of 18-25, 23-25, and 24-26. The Bears entered the weekend without injured juniors Jillian Dye and Hannah Stephan, but were still leading Oneonta in the second set before losing junior Kayla Howard to a sprained ankle. Sophomore outside hitter Dakota Pruiss (Wallkill, N.Y./Wallkill) led Potsdam eight kills and 13 digs. Sophomore setter Jenna Blujus contributed nine digs and 17 assists, while freshman defensive specialist Gabriele Arana added 12 digs. Junior right side Jess Archinal (Amsterdam, N.Y./Amsterdam) rounded out the leaders with nine digs and one assist.

Despite the injuries, Bears Head Coach Steve Pike was looking for a stronger performance from his team.

“We didn’t execute at key moments,” said Pike. “But we’re going to fight through the rest of the weekend and see what we can create.”

Against the Cardinals (8-8, 0-2) in the nightcap, Potsdam shook off a 19-25 opening set defeat and rattled off three straight wins by scores of 25-22, 25-22, and 25-20. Senior outside hitter Samantha Strader led the team with 12 kills and Pruiss was a force again with 11 kills, three aces, and 14 digs. Blujus finished with 33 assists and 10 digs and Arana contributed 21 digs.

“I was really proud of the way we battled in the second match,” Pike said. “No matter what, this team keeps going after the next ball and that’s been consistent from the beginning of the season. Now we just need to keep executing and get healthy.”

The Bears look to climb the SUNYAC ranks tomorrow with two more pool play matches. Potsdam faces New Paltz (8-7, 1-1) at noon followed by the red hot Cortland Red Dragons (15-0, 2-0) at 2 p.m.