After the weekend of Friday Oct. 26 and Saturday Oct. 27, Geneseo Volleyball holds a record of 21-9 and maintains their 9-0 conference record. The Knights fell to Clarkson University and Salisbury University, and beat Frostburg State.
On Friday, the Knights faced off against Clarkson at Frostburg State College. They battled for five sets and the Knights came up just short with scores of 25-22, 25-20, 20-25, 19-25 and 10-15. Sophomore defensive specialist Gabrielle Ayzenberg had 38 digs, and freshman defensive specialist Mary Saladino had 22 digs. Sophomore middle blocker Bridget Lougen swung for 16 kills. Senior setter Emily Ast set up 43 assists and had 24 digs. Geneseo’s 131 digs versus Clarkson were the highest total in over five seasons.
On Saturday, Salisbury overwhelmed the Knights after five sets with scores of 17-25, 25-18, 25-16, 21-25 and 12-15. Ayzenberg had 17 digs, and Ast had 14 digs and 34 assists. Freshman setter Morgan Michalski had eight digs and sophomore outside hitter Alexandra Frank had 12 digs. McLaughlin swung for 18 kills and Lougen swung for 13.
Later on Saturday, the Knights took on Frostburg State College. This game proved to be the Knights’ sole win of the weekend with set scores of 25-16, 25-18 and 25-17. Ayzenberg had 23 digs and Michalski had 20 digs. Saladino and Ast both had eight digs while Ast also contributed 37 assists. Frank had eight kills and 15 digs. It was an all-around team effort to secure the win.
Two Knights in particular had an outstanding weekend. Ayzenburg’s dig totals on the weekend were the three highest of her career at Geneseo and Ast is just seven assists short of becoming only the second player in Geneseo program history to eclipse 3,400 over her career.
Junior outside hitter Grace Cergol has been a huge part of the Knights’ success this season up until she was sidelined due to injury. Even from the bench, Cergol recognizes the impact the coaching staff has had on the team.
“Our coaches have been giving us all the right advice and constructive criticism on how we should go into our match on Friday [against SUNY Fredonia],” Cergol said. “They have been pushing us to better the ball in all situations, play relentless defense and to keep a positive yet focused mindset for this SUNYAC tournament.”
The Knights are more than excited to host SUNYAC tournament play coming up this weekend.
“Our team feeds off of our fans and their energy—we absolutely love it,” junior libero Sam Mendelsohn said. “It is also so nice to be in your own gym during high intensity and pressure games like these because it is just one less circumstance that you have to worry about adapting to.”
The Knights will take on Fredonia in the semi-final game on Friday Nov. 2 at 7 p.m. in Schrader Gymnasium. In their only prior matchup this season, the Knights beat Fredonia 3-1.