MICHELLE HALE
Sports Editor
This weekend the women’s volleyball team traveled to Buffalo State which marked the beginning of the SUNYAC conference games.
On Friday, the Blue Devils faced the New Paltz Hawks, who are defending conference champions. The last time the Blue Devils faced New Paltz was in the SUNYAC Championship last fall season of 2014. Fredonia battled all the way to the fifth set until they were defeated by the Hawks. Fredonia won the first two sets, while New Paltz won the final three. Set scores were 25-22, 25-17, 18-25, 23-25 and 11-15.
“Our team faced a few obstacles but really came together and showed heart and passion when it mattered,” said senior Paulina Rein.
Junior Sara Madison collected 11 kills and senior setter Kelly Edinger had 38 assists collectively in all five matches.
On Saturday, the Blue Devils had two SUNYAC conference matches against Buffalo State and Plattsburgh. They were able to defeat both teams and return back to Fredonia with a 2-1 record in the SUNYAC conference.
Against the Buffalo State Bengals, Fredonia played four matches to defeat them. Set scores were 25-21, 25-19, 25-22 and 26-24. Senior Jessica DiChristopher had 16 kills and sophomore Kristen Stanek had 15 kills for the Blue Devils. Edinger had 51 assists.
Despite some injuries within the starting Blue Devils, the team was able to depend on their bench to step up and get two victories.
“We have a lot of depth on this team, so that’s a huge positive,” said senior Lauren Hokaj. “Players stepped up and helped us get the wins against Buff State and Plattsburgh.”
The second game the Blue Devils faced on Saturday was against the Plattsburgh Cardinals. Fredonia swept the Cardinals in just three sets. Set scores were 25-16, 25-12, and 25-14.
Stanek, DiChristopher and sophomore Jane Garrity had seven kills each against the Cardinals. Edinger tallied 30 assists for the Blue Devils.
The energy within the team is what kept the motivation going on Fredonia’s side of the bench.
“We play so much better when everyone is just energetic,” said DiChristopher. “Just cheering everyone on goes a long way.”
Keeping their minds on SUNYACs, they hope to see New Paltz again and seek revenge on the defending champions.
“We played two of the toughest teams this weekend,” said Rein. “From here we keep improving, hopefully seeing New Paltz again.”
Fredonia now has a 12-3 overall record. The team will return home to Fredonia for their first home games this season. Beginning this Friday, the Blue Devils will face Ithaca College, Hilbert and Canton in the Blue Devil Invitational.