PLATTSBURGH, NY—Buffalo State (20-9/3-4) made a strong statement in the opening match of the third and final round of SUNYAC Pool Play, ripping Oneonta (15-13/3-4) in straight sets tonight.
 
The Bengals took the opening set 25-22, and then dismantled the Red Dragons, 25-9, before clinching the match with a 25-17 win in the third set. The victory was the fifth-straight for Buffalo State.
 
Jessica Crooks (Niagara Falls/Niagara-Wheatfield) turned in yet another strong match, with six kills and a match-high six blocks.  Sam Parente (E. Patchogue/Bellport) had a team-best seven kills to go with three blocks, and Kayla Pyc (Grand Island/Grand Island) had six kills and two blocks.  Rachelle Kelchlin (West Seneca/St. Mary's) had 13 digs, and Jennifer Cecchettini (Hamburg/Frontier) added 13 assists and two aces.
 
Buffalo State will close out the SUNYAC regular season tomorrow against Potsdam at 10 a.m., followed by a match against Cortland at 3 p.m.  The Bengals will need at least one victory to secure a spot in the conference playoffs, and two victories would guarantee a postseason berth.