(BOX SCORE)

BUFFALO, NY— Kelsey Bashore (Antwerp, OH/Antwerp) dished out 32 assists and Buffalo State (26-7) cruised into the SUNYAC Finals with a three-set sweep over visiting New Paltz (32-8), 25-18, 25-21 and 25-19, in the first semifinal today at the Sports Arena.

Buffalo State overcame some early jitters in the opening set, using a 12-4 run to erase an early 5-0 deficit and continued to pull away to claim the opening frame.  New Paltz led 11-7 in the second set, but an 8-2 run catapulted the Bengals ahead and they did not look back.  The final set saw the two teams deadlocked at 14-14, but Buffalo State pulled away again, outscoring the Hawks 11-5 the rest of the way.

Sam Parente (E. Patchogue/Bellport) had a team-best 10 kills for Buffalo State. Hannah Renaldo (N. Collins/N. Collins) and Sherrell McLean (Buffalo/City Honors) each had eight kills to go with two blocks, and Chelsea Moore (Kenmore/Kenmore West) added 26 digs. Sarah Horvath (Blasdell/Immaculata) chipped in 15 digs and four kills, while Kayla Pyc (Grand Island/Grand Island) had five kills and three blocks.

Becca Borquist led New Paltz with 10 kills and added 12 digs.  Marissa King had 32 assists, and Katy Herbst and Carrie Hack had 13 digs apiece.

Buffalo State will make second-ever finals appearance and first since 1997 tomorrow against Cortland. The title match will begin at noon in the Sports Arena.