Chelsea Sookra, Staff Writer |
The SUNY Oneonta volleyball team finished the season with a pair of victories at home this past Saturday, defeating Baruch and city rival Hartwick. The Red Dragons’ season ends with two victories, bringing their record to 6-18.
Oneonta swept Baruch in the day’s first match (25-14, 25-18, 25-22). The Red Dragons dominated the contest from the first rally on, trailing only twice during the entire game.
With a 9-8 lead in the first set, Oneonta went on a 10-1 run to take the match. With four kills, sophomore Ashanti Davis (Cortlandt Manor/Hendrick Hudson) led the assault.
Oneonta took an 11-4 lead in the second set, with eight kills from sophomore Caitlin Christie (Bay Shore/Bay Shore) and senior Ashlee Mazzella (Warwick/Warwick Valley).
In the third set, Baruch battled point for point until they tied the game for the final time at 21-21. Sophia Gerace (Pearl River/Pearl River) ended the match with a serve ace.
In their match against Hartwick, Oneonta fell behind two sets to none before rallying to force a deciding fifth set, which they won 15-13.
In the fifth set, Oneonta took a 3-0 lead, but Hartwick went on a 7-2 run to take the lead 7-5. The game was tied at nine a piece after a kill by sophomore Isabella Fabrizio (Highland Mills/Cornwall). On an ace by freshman Isabella Miller (Ardsley/Ardsley) and a kill by Mazzella, the Red Dragons took the lead for good. Davis’ kill brought the match to a close.
Christie led the offensive effort with a total of 27 kills. Davis had 21 kills and nine blocks as a team. Kayla Rende (Wantagh/Wantagh) led the team with 39 assists, while Gerace had 32. Junior Carsyn Rachuta (Holbrook/Sachem North), led the Oneonta defense with 38 digs on the day.
While the season may not have gone the Red Dragon’s way, they still played their hearts out and finished the season strong. Hopefully, they can build off this performance and continue to improve next season.
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