The Geneseo women's volleyball team traveled to SUNY Brockport on Oct. 21 and Oct. 23 for the second round of SUNYAC pool play to face host Buffalo State College, SUNY Fredonia and SUNY Oswego. The team went 3-1, bringing its record up to an even 16-16. The team's success also clinched them a spot in SUNYAC playoffs.
On Friday Oct. 21, the Knights defeated Buffalo State in a four set match, 25-21, 25-23, 22-25, 25-23. Junior Laura Galvin led the defensive line with 19 digs, while sophomores Julia Gangloff and Noelle Morrison followed closely behind with a combined 22 digs.
"The game against Buffalo State was an upset match," head coach Jennifer Salmon said. "They beat us the last time we faced them, but the girls played really well this time around … We were able to beat them in just four sets."
Freshman Jessica Prater and sophomore Alysia Negron led the offensive line with 15 and 12 kills, respectively. The team totaled 54 kills with help from senior Kat Strickland and sophomore Ronnie Guszcza.
Negron recently switched from defensive specialist to support the offense as an outside hitter.
"Negron has stepped up so much for us. She is a huge reason why we had so much success this weekend," Salmon said. "She's a consistent, dependable and smart player."
Later that day, the Knights continued their success, defeating Brockport 23-25, 26-24, 25-23, 25-18. Strickland and Prater led the pack with a combined 30 kills.
"Strickland had a fantastic game," Salmon said. "She played a large role in both wins on Friday."
Galvin led the defensive line with 22 digs, followed by Morrison with 12 and Gangloff with 11. The team totaled 55 digs.
On Saturday Oct. 23, the Knights faced both Fredonia and Oswego. Although the team fell to Fredonia, they were able to take one set from them for the first time.
"I wasn't unhappy with how they played," said Salmon. "I know [Fredonia] is beatable."
The Knights defeated Oswego in just three sets.
"Oswego was a good match. I was able to get every player in. It was nice to see the team just play really well," Salmon explained. "[Junior] Laura Raheb did a great job. She has worked especially hard to improve over these past few weeks."
"This was a big weekend for us, and it determined whether or not we would make the SUNYAC [Championship]," Salmon said. Thursday Nov. 3 the team will play SUNY New Paltz to determine who moves on to the semifinals.
"This is the best I've seen the girls play all season," Salmon said of the team's turnaround. "We're back on."
The Knights will travel to St. John Fisher College on Saturday where they will face the host, who the Knights have defeated twice, and SUNY Potsdam. "It'll be a good challenge," Salmon said.
Editor's Note:
On Oct. 26, the Knights lost their regular season finale against Ithaca College, 21-25, 20-25, 19-25. Senior Kat Strickland tallied eight kills and two blocks. Sophomore Noelle Morrison added 26 assists.