ALFRED, N.Y. – The eight-seeded Plattsburgh State women's volleyball team is set to travel to fifth-seeded Alfred State for a State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) Tournament First Round matchup at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 10, at Orvis Gym. The Cardinals return to the playoffs for the first time since 2023 and begin their quest for the first SUNYAC title in program history, along with their first postseason victory since 2013.
TICKET INFORMATION: General admission tickets are $5, while tickets for children ages 5-12 are $3. SUNYAC students with valid identification will receive free admission. Tickets will go on sale at the door beginning one hour before the match at 3:30 p.m. There are no advance ticket sales, and cash is the only accepted form of payment.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP: These two programs met for the first time this season on Saturday, Oct. 24, when Alfred State claimed a 3-0 (25-16, 25-21, 25-17) victory at Memorial Hall. Alayna Tomlinson led the way for the Pioneers, recording a double-double with 17 kills and 17 digs, while
Darby Collyear paced Plattsburgh with seven kills, seven digs, and a block.
INSIDE THE NEST: The Cardinals have built a balanced offensive attack this season, combining strong outside hitting with consistent production through the middle. As a team, Plattsburgh averages 14.7 points per set and 10.77 kills per set, ranking fifth in the league in both categories. The offense is also supported by an effective setting game, as the Cardinals have totaled 866 assists while averaging 9.62 per set.
Leading the offensive charge are senior outside hitter
Liya Girma (Sachse, Texas/Bishop Lynch) and senior opposite hitter
Darby Collyear (Rockwall, Texas/Rockwall), who rank first and second on the team in kills, respectively. Girma, an All-SUNYAC Third Team selection last season, paces the Cardinals with 272 kills and averages 3.02 per set. Collyear provides another scoring threat from the right side, recording 179 kills while averaging 2.10 per set. Together, the senior duo gives Plattsburgh multiple options to attack opposing defenses.
Providing additional production through the middle are first-year middle blockers
Brooke Anderson (Queensbury, N.Y./Queensbury) and
Augustina White (Newburgh, N.Y./Newburgh Free Academy), who have made an immediate impact in their first collegiate seasons. Anderson ranks fourth on the squad with 131 kills, followed by White with 112. Their contributions add another dimension to the Cardinals' offense, forcing opposing defenses to account for hitters at multiple positions.
Sophomore setter
Emily O'Brien (Monroe, N.Y./Monroe-Woodbury) orchestrates the Cardinal offense, distributing the ball and creating opportunities for hitters across the court. O'Brien has recorded 689 assists this season, ranking second in the conference, while averaging 7.66 per set, the third-highest mark in the league. Her ability to spread the ball around and keep multiple hitters involved will be an important part of Plattsburgh's postseason push.
Defensively, the Cardinals have been equally productive, averaging 14.63 digs per set to rank fourth in the league while totaling 1,317 on the season. Plattsburgh has also established a presence at the net, recording 116 total blocks and averaging 1.29 per set.
Senior libero
KC Burke (Murrieta, Calif./Northfield Mount Hermon [Mass.]) anchors the back row, leading the Cardinals with 309 digs and ranking fourth in the conference in total digs while averaging 3.59 per set. Girma has also been a consistent two-way presence, collecting 274 digs and averaging 3.04 per set. Collyear has contributed 194 digs, while O'Brien has matched that total with 194 of her own, giving Plattsburgh additional defensive support from its offensive leaders.
At the net, White leads the Cardinals with 60 total blocks, including 44 block assists and 16 solo blocks, tying for fifth in the conference. Anderson follows with 39 total blocks (32 block assists, seven solo blocks), while Collyear ranks third on the team with 36 (31 block assists, five solo blocks). Their combined efforts give Plattsburgh several options to challenge opposing hitters and slow down attacks at the net.
Plattsburgh's versatility also extends to the service line and serve-receive, where the Cardinals have created opportunities to control the pace of play. Girma leads the team with 55 service aces, ranking second in the league, while Collyear has added 39. Girma also leads the squad with 561 receptions, ranking fourth in the conference, followed by Burke with 449. Their consistency in serve-receive helps the Cardinals transition into their offensive system and generate scoring opportunities.
Third-year head coach
Eimile O'Brien will make her first appearance in the SUNYAC Tournament as she looks to lead Plattsburgh State to its first postseason victory under her direction. She guided the Cardinals to their best overall record since 2016 and their strongest conference mark since 2013, which was also the last time the program earned a postseason victory.
SCOUTING THE PIONEERS: Leading the way offensively for Alfred State is senior outside hitter Alayna Tomlinson, who leads the team with 288 kills, tying for third in the conference, while averaging 3.27 per set. The Pioneers average 11.38 kills per set, ranking fourth in the conference.
Sophomore outside hitter Gloria Stem ranks second on the team with 273 kills, averaging 3.33 per set, and ranks third in the conference with 566 receptions.
Defensively, first-year middle blocker Brianny Rodriguez leads the Pioneers with 60 total blocks, including 46 block assists and 14 solo blocks, matching White's total for Plattsburgh. As a team, Alfred State averages 1.24 blocks per set.
Sophomore defensive specialist Ava Wickes leads the Pioneers with 294 digs (3.34 per set) and has recorded a team- and conference-best 60 service aces, averaging 0.68 per set. Tomlinson adds 224 digs (2.55 per set), while the Pioneers average 13.17 digs per set.
Sophomore setter Isabel Carew leads the conference with 803 assists, averaging 9.13 per set, while directing the Pioneers' offense. Alfred State averages 10.52 assists per set.
Alfred State is led by 20th-year head coach Gene Doorley as the Pioneers cap their first season competing in the SUNYAC with a postseason appearance. Doorley previously coached Alfred State in the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC) from 2019-2025, leading the Pioneers to five consecutive tournament appearances and the 2022 AMCC Championship. Under his direction, Alfred State became the first team sport in program history to qualify for the NCAA Division III National Championships.
THE ROAD AHEAD: The winner of Alfred State-Plattsburgh State will face fourth-seeded Morrisville in the second round on Thursday, Nov. 12 at 6 p.m.
The winner of Fredonia-Oswego State will face third-seeded Cortland in the second round on Thursday, Nov. 12 at 6 p.m.
