Saratoga Springs, NY - Oswego traveled into the Skidmore Classic in Saratoga Springs this weekend. This was the final two regular season contests for the Lakers.
 
BASICS 
Game 1
Oswego 0 (19-7, 7-2 SUNYAC)
Clarkson 3 (12-13, 3-5 LL)
Game 2
Oswego 1 (19-8, 7-2 SUNYAC)
Skidmore 3 (14-9, 5-3 LL)
Williamson Sports Center | Saratoga Springs, NY


HOW IT HAPPENED 
Clarkson started this game up 6-0 before Mya Bush would end it with a kill. Oswego hung around until they made their move to make this one tight. Priscilla McReynolds would get 3 straight kills and just like that, the Lakers were within 3 in the first set. It was back and forth for the rest of the set. Grace Gdovin had a kill along with a couple more by McReynolds. Oswego couldn't find a comeback and dropped the first set. 

The second set was much closer at the start. Bush would have 2 kills in the Lakers' first 10 points. 3 straight aces for the Golden Knights helped them lead 10-4. In the same way as the first set, the Lakers didn't allow another run but couldn't string together multiple points in a row to make a comeback. Alaina Dudzinski helped the Lakers with a kill as well as a couple more kills by Bush and 2 from Gigi Basile. Oswego did have a late run that included an ace by McReynolds, but it wasn't enough as Clarkson found themselves up 2-0. 

Oswego had a much-needed run to kick off the third set. The setter Mya Bush continued to dump the ball well picking up 2 more kills on this run. Oswego was up 7-2 before the Golden Knights countered this run well. They got right back in the game, making it 11-8 with Clarkson leading. Another run by the Lakers would give them the lead right back. The run was sponsored by a Gdovin kill and yet another kill from Bush. Back and forth was the story for the rest of the third set. Oswego led 18-17 before Clarkson had three straight kills to take the lead. They held this lead for the remainder of the set and ultimately swept the Lakers in this contest. 

GAME 2:
Oswego kept things close with help from Kalley Vugteveen and Priscilla McReynolds. The score was knotted up at 10 before Skidmore started to get out to a small lead. It was 18-14 in favor of the Thoroughbreds before Oswego applied pressure on them, causing 3 attack errors and an ace by CJ Eidem. Oswego battled back to make it square at 19. A couple more attack errors by Skidmore and an offensive click for the Lakers would give the set to Oswego 25-21. 

The second set started the same way, both teams trading points. Early on it was first-year, Piper Adams leading the way with two kills. Skidmore did in fact pull away a bit making the score 16-9. The Lakers, trying to stay in this set, would get a boost from McReynolds and Mya Bush. Oswego stayed behind around 5 for the rest of the set but on the Thoroughbreds second set point they would put it away to make the set score 1-1. 

Skidmore took an early lead in the third set. It was 8-1 but Gigi Basile hosted a small comeback for the Lakers as she paired a kill and block to help the Lakers get within 4. Grace Gdovin would get in on the action with a kill, but Skidmore kept applying pressure holding onto their lead. A late run by the Thoroughbreds would close out the set, 25-17. 

Skidmore just wouldn't let off the gas pedal, as the beginning of the 4th set went their way. The Thoroughbreds led 9-3. Kalley Vugteveen would pick up a kill but the lead for Skidmore just wouldn't go away. Oswego, doing everything they could, had a good attack in this fourth set but the Thoroughbreds held the lead. After a kill from Samantha Madigan and Lilaina Nelson, the Lakers couldn't complete the comeback and dropped the set, and game, 25-14.

WHAT'S NEXT
The Lakers, will be able to recoup and get ready for the ultimate part of the season, the SUNYAC Playoff tournament. They currently hold the 2 seeds, granting them a bye and are set to face the winner of New Paltz and Fredonia. 

Written by: Luke Belanger