ROCHESTER, NY—Buffalo State (4-8) dropped a pair of decisions today in the opening round of the RIT Invitational, falling to the host Tigers (3-6) in four sets, before losing a straight-sets decision to St. John Fisher (6-1).

The Bengals fell in the opening match against RIT, 27-25, 21-25, 21-25 and 17-25. Kelsey Bashore (Antwerp, OH/Antwerp) led the Bengals with a season-best 33 kills and added 14 digs and three blocks. Chelsea Moore (Kenmore/Kenmore West) had 15 digs, and Allyson Pierce (Olcott/Newfane) paced the attack with 11 kills. Sherrell McLean (Buffalo/City Honors) had 10 kills and four blocks, and Ray-Ray Algbedo (Yonkers/Yonkers) had eight kills and six blocks.

St. John Fisher prevailed in the late match in three straight sets, 25-22, 25-18 and 25-16. Sam Parente (E. Patchogue/Bellport) led Buffalo State with seven kills and five blocks. Bashore had 18 assists, and Moore chipped in 13 digs in the defeat.

Buffalo State will remain at the RIT Invitational and will take on the University at Rochester and Nazareth at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. respectively.