FREDONIA, N.Y. – The Oswego State volleyball team has taken some giant steps forward this season, but making the State University of New York Athletic Conference playoffs is the ultimate goal for the Lakers, who haven't done so in many years. Their participation in SUNYAC Pool Play at Fredonia this weekend is the Oswego State Game of the Week.

Currently sporting a 10-14 overall record and a 1-2 record in conference play, the squad is firmly in control of its own destiny heading into the weekend. After a tumultuous past few seasons, the Lakers need to win only a set against Brockport to qualify for the postseason.

Having beat Brockport, 3-0, during the first set of conference games, junior outside hitter Sabrina Sutton (Fulton, N.Y.) says the team will be full of confidence heading into Friday night's match against the Golden Eagles at 6 p.m.

“We're definitely confident, but I know we'll have a little bit of the jitters at the beginning,” Sutton said. “It's such a big match for us and the program. It's very helpful to have a win against them under our belt.”

Sutton is third on the team with 126 kills and has registered two double-doubles on the season in a pair of wins against Utica.

If the Lakers are unable to take a set from Brockport, they will still have matches against Buffalo State and Fredonia on Saturday as possible chances to qualify for the SUNYAC playoffs. In late September, both the Bengals and Blue Devils swept the Lakers.

Sutton is one of many players on the team wanting another shot at the conference foes.

“I really think we can contend with anyone in our conference if we play our game,” Sutton said. “If we limit our stupid mistakes, I'm sure we can play neck and neck with Fredonia or Buffalo State. Our scores with Fredonia were pretty close the first time.”

According to Sutton, the team's recent four-game skid won't deter the Lakers from playing with confidence.

“At this point, we know it's all about us,” Sutton said. “Most of our recent losses have come on our mistakes. We just have to communicate on the court and cut out the little errors and we'll get back to our winning ways.”

On Sept. 22 of this year, the Lakers collected their first conference win since Oct. 17, 2008, ending almost a four-year skid. The monumental win gave the Lakers the inside track to the postseason, just one season after finishing 7-22 overall and 0-8 in SUNYAC competition.

Sutton is proud of what her team has accomplished this season, but she's surely not satisfied.

“If one conference win gets us in, great, but we're not happy with just one win,” Sutton said. “We're obviously going to press the issue and try to get in on our own terms rather than coasting in. I believe in our ability to play our best when we need it.”