CORTLAND, N.Y.—Buffalo State started slow, but rallied for an excellent start to the season, defeating a pair of programs that won 20-plus matches each last season, dropping Lebanon Valley in four sets and Stockton in five on the opening day of the Cortland Red Dragon Classic.
MATCH 1 BASICSFINAL SCORE: Buffalo State def. Lebanon Valley, 3-1 (18-25, 25-21, 25-19, 25-22)
LOCATION: SUNY Cortland, Cortland, N.Y.
RECORDS: Buffalo State (1-0), Lebanon Valley (0-1)
HOW IT HAPPENED- After a slow start, Buffalo State ripped off wins in three-straight sets to claim a four-set victory over Lebanon Valley.
- Hannah Renaldo (N. Collins/N. Collins) paced the Bengals in the front court with 13 kills and added three blocks.
- Junior transfer Ashleen Speen (Vestal/Vestal) hammered out 12 kills to go with eight digs in her first match as a Bengal.
- Kayla Pyc (Grand Island/Grand Island) chipped in nine kills and three aces.
- Jennifer Cecchettini (Hamburg/Frontier) added 26 assists, and Rachelle Kelchlin (W. Seneca/St. Mary's) had 23 digs.
MATCH 2 BASICSFINAL SCORE: Buffalo State def. Stockton, 3-2 (25-23, 26-24, 12-25, 21-25, 18-16)
LOCATION: SUNY Cortland, Cortland, N.Y.
RECORDS: Buffalo State (2-0), Stockton (2-1)
HOW IT HAPPENED- Buffalo State jumped out to a two-set lead and survived a comeback bid by the Ospreys to prevail 18-16 in the deciding set.
- Renaldo had another 13-kill match to lead the wan and added four blocks.
- Pyc had 11 kills to go with seven blocks, including six solo blocks.
- Britt Hallett-Jonathan (Basom/Akron) had 21 assists, while Cecchettini added 18, and Kelchlin had 28 digs.
UP NEXTBuffalo State will conclude the Cortland Classic tomorrow with two more matches. The Bengals will square off against Utica at 1:30 p.m. and will face Hartwick at 4 p.m.
