PLATTSBURGH, NY—Buffalo State (21-10/4-5) cruised to a straight-set victory over Potsdam (7-20/1-8) to clinch a berth in the SUNYAC playoffs, but then fell in five sets to Cortland (13-17/6-3) to set up a rematch in the quarterfinals.
The Bengals cruised past Potsdam in the morning match, 25-10, 25-22 and 25-18.
Jessica Crooks (Niagara Falls/Niagara-Wheatfield) pounded out 11 kills with a .429 attack percentage to pace the offense, while
Sam Parente (E. Patchogue/Bellport) had 10 kills and three blocks.
Jennifer Cecchettini (Hamburg/Frontier) dished out 22 assists to go with three aces, and
Rachelle Kelchlin (West Seneca/St. Mary's) had a team-best 15 digs.
Kayla Pyc (Grand Island/Grand Island) and
Hannah Renaldo (N. Collins/N. Collins) chipped in eight kills each.
The Bengals went back-and-forth against Cortland in the late match, winning the first set 25-16, but then fell 20-25 and 23-25, before rallying to force a fifth set with a 25-21 win in the fourth. Ultimately, the Red Dragons prevailed, however, claiming the final set, 15-11. Parente had 15 kills and three blocks to lead the Bengals net presence. Renaldo added 10 kills and 17 digs, while Cecchettini had 29 assists and 20 digs. Kelchlin also finished with 20 digs. Crooks had eight kills and four blocks, Pyc had eight kills and three blocks, and
Courtney White (Ft. Lauderdale, FL/St. Thomas Aquinas) had six kills and five blocks.
Buffalo State will be the No. 6 seed entering the SUNYAC playoffs and will face No. 3 Cortland on Friday, Nov. 7 at 3 p.m. Top-seeded New Paltz will host the entire championship on Nov. 7-9.
