CORTLAND, NY – The #2 Buffalo State women's volleyball team loss their SUNYAC championship bout against #1 Cortland Red Dragons, 3-0, ending their 2024-2025 season in heartbreaking fashion.  

GAME BASICS

FINAL SCORE: Cortland – 3, Buffalo State – 0
SET SCORES: (14-25, 9-25, 22-25)
LOCATION: Whitney T. Corey Gym – Cortland, NY
RECORDS: Buffalo State: 20-10 (8-1 SUNYAC), SUNY Cortland: 26-5 (9-0 SUNYAC)
 
INSIDE THE BENGAL BOX SCORE

• Samantha Coakley (Lockport, NY/Lockport) led the Bengals with nine kills, with Eden Harrison (Sykesville, MD/Century) backing her up with five kills.
• Karlie Shaffer (Smithtown, NY/Smithtown East) played a well-rounded game leading the Bengals in assists with 18 and digs with 14. Ella Wittman (Cheektowaga, NY/Springville-Griffith) contributed 10 digs for the Bengals.
• Harrison and Coakley were named to the SUNYAC Women's Volleyball All-Tournament Team...congratulations ladies!

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Coming off an emotional, heart wrenching comeback victory over the SUNY Morrisville Mustangs last night, the Bengals entered tonight's match with top-seeded Cortland on a high. Play in the first set proved that energy, with the Bengals gaining an early set-point lead over the Red Dragons. Taking a 9-6 lead, the Bengals looked poised to take the first set and the momentum, but a four-point rally by the Red Dragons pulled them ahead. The Bengals were able to cut the deficit to four points, but a seven-point rally pushed the Red Dragons across the finish line, taking the first set, 25-14, of the SUNYAC Championship game.
• The second set would see the Red Dragons flex their muscles a bit, taking advantage of the first set momentum and pulling away from the Bengals, taking the second set 25-9…and putting the Bengals backs against the wall.
• A familiar spot from the Bengals after last night's match against the Mustangs, the Bengals looked to take control of their own destiny and take a third set win over the Red Dragons. As both teams traded three-straight-point rallies, the Red Dragons began to pull away, with a 22-17 set lead. But the resiliency of the Bengals was on display once again, rallying five-straight points, tying the set at 22-22. Unfortunately, the Red Dragons would rally three-straight points, taking the third set, 25-22, and sweeping the Bengals.
• Credit to the coaching staff and this years 2024-2025 Buffalo State Bengals, clinching 20 wins for the first time since 2014, and making an appearance in the SUNYAC Playoff Championship for the first time since 2013. Congratulations to this year's team, sky's the limits!!

FOR THE FOES

• Jennifer Koestner led the Red Dragons with 13 kills.
• Mikenzie Martens led the Red Dragons with 17 digs, with Ryan Hinshaw leading with 19 assists.
• Anna Pikey and Koestner were named to the SUNYAC Women's Volleyball All-Tournament Team, with Alexa Guedez named as SUNYAC Women's Volleyball All-Tournament MVP.