JORDAN-CHRISTOPHER PURVIS
Staff Writer
The fourth-seeded Fredonia women’s volleyball team season came to an end Friday night against Geneseo.
Despite a hard-fought battle against arguably one of the best teams in the SUNYAC conference, the women’s volleyball team came up just short of taking down the first-seeded Knights.
The Knights opened the game strong, securing the first set, 25-17. Fredonia would try to spark a rally in the second set but came up short, resulting in losing the set 26-24. Geneseo then clinched the victory with a 25-21 win in the third set.
Junior outside hitter SallyAnne Rudny (Jamestown, NY/Southwestern) was Blue Devils top hitter with 18 kills. Sophomore libero Makenna Kallin (Owego, NY/Owego) recorded 16 digs. Rachel Aiello (Baldwinsville, NY/C.W. Baker), closed out her career with 12 digs and seven assists.
The Devils closed out their season with a 22-10 overall. In spite of falling just short of reaching the championship, the loss didn’t seem to diminish the team’s spirits.
Head Coach Geoff Braun had nothing but admiration towards his players and coaching staff following the tough loss. The contest marked the end of the careers of seniors Kailey Falk (York, NY/Our Lady of Mercy) and Aiello.
Geneseo would later on advance to Saturday’s championship match against second-seeded New Paltz, which defeated sixth-seeded Oswego, 3-1, during Friday night semifinals.
At the State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) Women’s Volleyball Tournament Championship, second-seeded New Paltz came out victorious against Geneseo, 3-0 (25-21, 25-20, 25-23).
The win resulted in New Paltz receiving their third SUNYAC Championship (2018, 2014 and 2009) in the past 10 years.
Statistical leaders for Fredonia this season were SallyAnne Rudny for kills with 371, Amanda Mosack for assists with 1122, Kailey Falk for service aces with 71, Rachel Aiello for digs with 547 and Emma Falk for blocks, totaling 38.