PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. – The Plattsburgh State women's volleyball team entered Saturday's matchup undefeated on the road in State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) play as it sought its first home conference win. The Cardinals showed their strongest stretch in the second set, rallying to take a late lead before Alfred State responded, closed out the set, and eventually secured a 3-0 (25-16, 25-21, 25-17) victory at Memorial Hall.
Senior outside hitter
Iris Mulvey (Middle Island, N.Y./Longwood) led the Cardinals offensively with nine kills, with sophomore setter
Emily O'Brien (Monroe, N.Y./Monroe-Woodbury) setting up the attack with 19 assists. Senior opposite hitter
Darby Collyear (Rockwall, Texas/Rockwall) added seven kills and seven digs, while senior libero
KC Burke (Murrieta, Calif./Northfield Mount Hermon [Mass.]) paced the back row with 13 digs. Senior outside hitter
Liya Girma (Sachse, Texas/Bishop Lynch) contributed eight digs and six kills.
For the Pioneers, Alayna Tomlinson recorded game-highs of 17 kills and 17 digs, while Brianny Rodriguez led the net defense with a game-high five blocks. Alfred State also held the statistical advantages in digs, 57-45, service aces, 8-3, and blocks, 6-3.
After Alfred State established an early lead in the opening set, Plattsburgh responded with a 4-0 burst capped by a Girma kill to cut the deficit to 16-12. A late kill from Mulvey interrupted the Pioneers' scoring stretch and made it 20-16, but Alfred State maintained its advantage down the stretch to take the set, 25-16.
The Cardinals showed their best offensive push of the match in the second set, as a kill from O'Brien brought them within two at 12-10. Plattsburgh continued to build momentum, using a 7-0 rally led by two kills from Mulvey to take an 18-17 lead. Alfred State answered, however, closing the set on an 8-3 run to secure a 25-21 win.
Plattsburgh carried its fight into the third set, as back-to-back kills from O'Brien and Collyear helped the Cardinals take an early 8-5 lead. The Pioneers responded, but Plattsburgh continued to push back and regained the advantage at 12-11. Alfred State then used a late scoring run to take a 17-13 lead and remained in control through the finish, closing out the set, 25-17, to secure the 3-0 match victory.
With the loss, Plattsburgh State moves to 11-12 overall and 2-3 in SUNYAC play. The Cardinals will return to action Friday, Oct. 30, traveling to Oswego State for a 6 p.m. match.
