POTSDAM, N.Y. – Taking part in their first two matches in the state of New York, the Plattsburgh State volleyball team (1-4) dropped a 3-1 exhibition decision to Queen's University (Ontario) before winding up on the wrong end of a 3-2 heartbreaker to North Country foe SUNY Potsdam (4-3) on Friday night at the Maxcy Field House.

MATCH ONE: Queens College (Ontario) 3, Plattsburgh State 1 (exhibition) (25-17, 22-25, 25-14, 25-22)

After falling behind 1-0 due to a 25-17 setback in the opening set, the Cardinals bounced back to knot matters at one set each with a 25-22 victory in the second frame.

The Golden Gaels, though, would go on to capture the next two sets to take the victory in the exhibition match.

Rosi Cummings paced the Cardinals offense with a team-high 16 kills on 43 attempts. Maggie Schranz recorded the second-most kills on the squad, finishing with seven on 23 swings. Junior Meghan Clifford amassed 31 assists and a pair of service aces in the setback.

MATCH TWO: SUNY Potsdam 3, Plattsburgh State 2 (20-25, 25-14, 25-18, 24-26, 15-9)

Engaging in one of the better volleyball battles of the day, the Cardinals were the hard-luck losers in their match against host institution SUNY Potsdam.

Eager to forget about their setback earlier in the day, the Cardinals jumped out to a 1-0 lead by taking the first set via a 25-20 tally. A hitting percentage of .152 as well as six kills helped Plattsburgh State earn its only lead of the day.

SUNY Potsdam responded with some strong play of its own, limiting the Plattsburgh State attack under 20 points in the ensuing pair of sets before the Cardinals took the fourth set to extra points to emerge victorious in the fourth frame.

The Cardinals put up their best offensive numbers in the fourth set, registering nine kills on a .200 attack percentage.

It was the Bears, though, who gained the momentum in the deciding set and held on for a 15-9 win to take the match.

Again it was Cummings who led the Plattsburgh State offensive effort with 13 kills on 41 attack attempts. Splitting time at the setter position, Clifford and sophomore Kristen Marchisatto passed out 10 and 15 assists respectively. The former picked up four of the eight Plattsburgh State service aces during the match.

Senior Amanda Wickers recorded a team-high 17 digs. Jenna Blujus starred for the Bears, slamming down 17 kills on 28 swings for an excellent attack percentage of .536. Gabby Arana came up with a game-high 25 digs for the home team.

Saturday begins another two-match day for the Cardinals at the Victory Promotions Invitational as they take on St. Michael's College at 1 p.m., before facing off against Clarkson at 3 p.m.