This past weekend the women's volleyball team finished its regular season on a high note, winning both of its matches and improving its record to 14-21 overall.
On Saturday, the Knights hosted St. John Fisher College and SUNY Potsdam, winning the contests in five and three matches, respectively.
The Knights dominated the first two sets against the Cardinals, winning 25-18 twice, but lost momentum in the following two, 19-25 and 17-25. In the final, thrilling fifth set, the Knights fought to a 15-9 win.
Head coach Jen Salmon said she was proud of the team, noting that the women played with consistency and were able to earn the win after the five sets. Salmon said the victory was especially significant because the Knights fell to St. John Fisher twice in three straight sets earlier this season.
Senior Krista Frieling led the offense with 15 kills, and freshmen Alex Wende and Ronnie Guszcza contributed 11 kills each to pace the Knights. Freshman Noelle Morrison dished out 43 assists and sophomore Laura Galvin added 22 digs.
In the match against Potsdam, the Knights won in three straight sets; 25-18, 25-19 and 25-20. Frieling and Guszcza paced the offense with 10 and eight kills, respectively. Morrison added 21 assists for the Knights.
On Thursday the Knights travel to SUNY Fredonia to begin SUNYAC post-season play. The Knights' first competition will be third seed SUNY Oneonta from the East division. The team faced the Red Dragons earlier in the year, winning 3-1, but Salmon said that the Knights should not expect an easy win. "We have to play as well as last weekend because it's later in the season and both teams are better," she said.
In order to prepare for conference play, the Knights are working out all of the kinks and decreasing offensive errors. "We have to maintain our confidence," Salmon said. She added that she hopes to see the team leave everything on the court on Thursday. Whether they win or lose, Salmon said she expects the team to "work together as a cohesive unit."
If all goes well, the Knights will face SUNY Cortland on Friday in the semifinals. The championship game is scheduled for Sunday.