The Oswego State volleyball team (19-9, 5-2 SUNYAC) opened its final round of SUNYAC Pool Play, hosted by Geneseo, with a come-from-behind 3-1 (15-25, 25-19, 25-19, 25-17) victory over Fredonia on Friday evening.
With the victory, Oswego has clinched a playoff berth to the SUNYAC Championship for the second-straight year and third time in four years. Seeding for the tournament will be determined after Saturday's conference tilts.
Oswego, who was ranked seventh in the first regional rankings released by the NCAA on Thursday, beat a Fredonia team that rounded out the top 10 in that poll.
Three Lakers ended with double-digit kills against the Blue Devils, led by junior Emma Moriarty's career-high 16. Moriarty was backed on offense by freshman Ariel Murawski's 13 kills and senior Megan Russell's 12. Russell was the most-efficient out of the trio, hitting at a .526 clip. Murawski and Moriarty put up solid hitting percentages, registering .357 and .343, respectively.
Russell showed her versatility as a leader on defense as well, collecting a team-high four blocks on one solo and three assists. Murawski, Moriarty, Kim Cassa, and Alison Sullivan each chipped in a block while senior Kelsey Dillon had two.
Fellow seniors Cassa and Rachael Ruggaber split passing duties with 18 and 19 digs, respectively. Juniors Lauren Edwards and Lindsey Champitto used those passes to set-up the attackers, with Edwards tallying 29 assists and Champitto recording 16. Edwards also tied for the team-lead with two service aces, along with Murawski.
Oswego will wrap pool play on Saturday, starting with the host Knights at 10 a.m. before facing the Potsdam Bears at 12:30 p.m.
