SCHENECTADY, NY– The Oswego State Volleyball continued their road trip as they traveled to Russel Sage for a doubleheader versus the Gators and a neutral site game versus Suffolk University. The Lakers would go on to split the two games defeating Russell Sage but falling to Suffolk University on a neutral site.
Final Score:
Oswego 1 (4-5, 0-0 SUNYAC)
Suffolk University 3 (8-2, 0-0 CCC)
22-24, 21-25, 25-22, 18-25
Oswego 3 (5-5, 1-0 SUNYAC)
Russell Sage 0 (6-6, 0-1 Empire 8)
25-12, 26-24, 25-23
Location: Schenectady, NY Robison Court at the Kahl Campus Center
HOW IT HAPPENED
GAME 1 VS SUFFOLK
The Lakers and the Rams both came out strong with each team having their respective runs. Oswego's Priscilla McReynold led the charge early with 3 early kills and an ace. The Lakers and the Rams found themselves tied at 11 apiece in the first set. This stalemate would continue as both teams would trade points back and forth until they would reach 22-22. The Lakers were unable to secure the final three points of the set and the Rams won the first set 22-25.
The second set proved to show how evenly matched the contest was as neither team was able to separate from one another. The Lakers were able to grab a slight advantage with plays from Emily Zeisler, they took a five point advantage 15-10. The Rams refused to quit as they battled back from five points down to take the lead at 18-17 and never looked back as Suffolk secured the second set 25-21 leaving the Lakers left with a do or die set three.
The third set saw the Lakers rebound with tremendous resilience. The Lakers responded by going two sets down with a 9-2 run that saw them take full control of the third set with key plays by Priscilla McReynolds and Emily Zeisler. With the third set firmly in the Lakers grasp, they continued to battle back and forth until the Lakers found themselves up 18-11. But the Rams showed why they were 7-2 on the season and responded to Oswego's pressure with a five point run of their own 18-16. Down the stretch the gymnasium came alive with a combo block from Lillian Byrne and Priscilla McReynolds The Lakers found themselves with set point advantage 24-22 and a slam home spike by Cara Simplicio gave the Lakers their first set of the day 25-22.
The Fourth and final set of the game saw the Lakers and rams continue their battle on the court. The Lakers jumped to an early 1 point advantage as they went up 8-7. This would be the last time they would hold the lead for the remainder of the set as the Rams were able to seize upon the moment and go on a 13-5 run that would see them taking a huge advantage in their match point set. The Lakers were unable to put on a run of their own as they fell to the rams 18-25 for a 1-3 loss.
Key stats
GAME 2 VS Russell Sage
The Lakers had a quick turn around as they had to move on quickly from their loss to Suffolk University. Oswego looked to rebound versus Russell Sage with energy and the match from before proved to put the Lakers in a must win mindset. They started off the first set strong, with an early lead that allowed for the Lakers to control the flow for the remainder of the first. After the Lakers jumped out to an eight point lead 18-10, they were able to quickly slam the door behind plays from Mya Bush and Priscilla McReynolds. With McReynolds making a huge block versus Gators on match point to secure the first set 25-12.
The second set of the match saw the Gators and Lakers trade points more early and often. After a hotly contested first 8 points of the second set the Lakers were able to batten down the hatches to regain momentum. The Lakers used this momentum to go on a 11-1 run to see the Lakers grab a 15-5 lead. The Gators answered back with their own 11-4 run that saw the Lakers lead dwindle down to four. The Lakers were forced to try and stop the momentum with a timeout. An intense battle ensued as both teams went back and forth until the score reached 22-19 Lakers. A massive kill by Lilian Byrne gave the Lakers the push needed to give them a 23-20 advantage. The Gators responded with a 4-1 run that evened the score at 24-23. The Lakers were able to stave off the Gators run and finish the second set 26-24.
The third set was a battle from both sides. As each team would score, the other would answer. The Gators would eventually find the advantage with a 3 point lead 19-16. Cara Simplicio would go on to make a huge point to make it 19-17 Mya Bush would take the ball as the new server and the Lakers would add two more points before the Gators would answer. Cara Simplicio would again have a huge spike down the stretch. The Lakers would tie the set at 21-21 and have control of the serve. The teams again went point for point as the Lakers looked to end the game and stifle any comeback. As the Lakers took the advantage 24-23, the final point would see Grace Gdovin flying and diving all over the floor, as the Lakers refused to lose and were able to secure the final point with another Simplicio hammer, 25-23 Lakers. 3-1 Final
KEY STATS
UP NEXT
The Lakers will return home as they look to build off today's win at they take on Hilbert in their annual tournament @ 7:00 PM next Friday 9/20
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