ROCHESTER, NY – The Buffalo State women's volleyball team split their regular season finales, earning a three-set sweep over the University of Rochester Yellowjackets, 3–0, before falling to the Union College Garnet Chargers, 0–3.

GAME ONE BASICS

FINAL SCORE: Buffalo State – 3, University of Rochester – 0
SET SCORES: (25-23, 25-19, 25-23)
LOCATION:  Louis Alexander Palestra – Rochester, NY
RECORDS: Buffalo State: 14-14 (5-4 SUNYAC), University of Rochester: 4-19 (0-7 UAA)

INSIDE THE BENGAL BOX SCORE

• Ella Wittman (Cheektowaga, NY/Springville Griffith) led the Bengals' attack with 15 kills, while Nicole Delli Colli (Camillus, NY/West Genesee) added 10 kills in support.
• In the playmaking department, Alex Arroyo (Nesconset, NY/Smithtown East) led the Bengals with 19 assists, while Karlie Shaffer (Smithtown, NY/Smithtown East) contributed 15 assists.
• Defensively, Hailey Kulniszewski (Elma, NY/Iroquois) led the Bengals with 12 digs, with Wittman adding eight. At the net, Delia Lake (Buffalo, NY/Kenmore West) anchored the front line with one solo block and three block assists. 

HOW IT HAPPENED

• After closing their SUNYAC season by clinching the No. 5 seed in the conference playoffs, the Bengals looked to wrap up their regular season on a high note with a tri-match in Rochester against the host Yellowjackets and Union College.
• Opening the first set against the Yellowjackets, both sides traded points early as each team worked to find its rhythm. A three-point rally gave the Bengals a mid-set lead, but the Yellowjackets answered with a three-point run of their own. A late three-point surge from the Bengals created enough separation to fend off a late push and secure the first-set victory.
• In the second set, the Bengals fell behind early as the Yellowjackets opened with a multi-point run. However, a pivotal six-point Bengal rally flipped the frame, giving the Bengals its first lead. The Yellowjackets attempted to climb back, but consecutive three- and four-point Bengal runs proved too much to overcome, allowing the Bengals to cruise to a two-set advantage and position themselves for a sweep.
• In the third and final set, the Bengals kept their momentum rolling, opening with a five-point rally and adding a six-point run midway through. Credit to the Yellowjackets, who continued to battle and capitalized on a few Bengal miscues to tighten the frame. Ultimately, it wasn't enough, as the Bengals closed out the set to complete the sweep of the Yellowjackets.
• With today's win, head coach Maria Roberts officially earned her 200th career victory. As the longest-tenured head coach in Buffalo State volleyball history, Coach Roberts has led the Bengals to multiple winning seasons, a SUNYAC Championship and NCAA Tournament appearance in 2013, and this season tied the program record with five consecutive SUNYAC playoff berths. Throughout her tenure, she has coached ten All-SUNYAC selections, earned SUNYAC Coach of the Year honors last season, and has made a meaningful impact on every young woman who has come through the program. Congratulations to Coach Roberts on this remarkable milestone and thank you for everything you've done for the Buffalo State community!

FOR THE FOES

• Rylee Bergeron led the Yellowjackets with 12 kills, while Myla Nover-Estes added 10 kills. Iliana Balaskas paced all players with 32 assists.
• Defensively, Bergeron also led the Yellowjackets with 16 digs, with Lydia Weeks contributing 12 digs.

GAME TWO BASICS

FINAL SCORE: Union College - 3, Buffalo State - 0
SET SCORES: (15-25, 16-25, 20-25)
LOCATION: Louis Alexander Palestra – Rochester, NY
RECORDS:  Buffalo State: 14-15 (5-4 SUNYAC), Union College: 21-8 (7-1 Liberty League)

INSIDE THE BENGAL BOX SCORE

• Delli Colli and Wittman led the Bengals with eight kills each.
• Arroyo and Shaffer paced the offense with 12 assists apiece.
• Defensively, Wittman anchored the back row with 12 digs, while Autumn Flanders (Gansevoort, NY/South Glens Falls) added 10 digs. At the net, Shaffer and Delaney McCarthy (Smithtown, NY/Smithtown West) each recorded one block.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• After sweeping the University of Rochester Yellowjackets, the Buffalo State Bengals looked to close out their Rochester tri-match with a strong showing against the Union College Garnet Chargers.
• In the first set, the Bengals fell behind early as the Garnet Chargers opened with four straight points. Despite a competitive start featuring steady point trading on both sides, the Garnet Chargers maintained control, using a late three-point run to create separation. The Bengals were unable to close the gap, dropping the opening set.
• The second set began with both teams exchanging points, and the Bengals briefly took an early lead. However, a decisive seven-point Garnet Chargers rally turned the tide and pushed them firmly ahead. Although the Bengals attempted to claw back, the deficit proved too much to overcome as they fell in the second set, putting them on the brink of a sweep.
• In the third set, the Bengals showed plenty of fight, going back-and-forth with the Garnet Chargers as both sides continued trading points. A four-point Bengal rally gave them a temporary edge, but the Garnet Chargers responded with a three-point run to close the gap. After continued point trading, the Garnet Chargers seized control with a five-point rally late in the set. Despite the Bengals' efforts to battle back, Union held firm as the Bengals fell in straight sets.

FOR THE FOES

• Shannon McGrath and Kayla Martinez Cartagena led the Garnet Chargers with 12 kills each. Allie Kronenberg led all players with 34 assists.
• Defensively, Georgia Pool led with 14 digs, with Kronenberg and McGrath following behind with 11 digs.
   

UP NEXT
Finishing as the No. 5 seed in the SUNYAC, the Bengals now begin their hunt for a conference championship as they travel to Fredonia on Tuesday, November 11^th, for a rematch with the Blue Devils in a 'Battle by the Lake' playoff showdown.