The volleyball team defended its home court well on Friday evening, as the Lakers went 2-0 on the opening day of the Oswego State Tournament at Max Ziel Gymnasium. Oswego, with the pair of victories, is now 8-4 on the season heading into Saturday's matchups. The Lakers will face Hartwick College at 10 a.m. before wrapping the tournament at 2 p.m. against SUNY Canton.
MATCH ONE – Oswego 3, Utica 0 (25-16, 25-13, 25-15):
In the first game, after a back-and-forth start, Oswego was sparked by two-straight kills and a service ace. With only a two-point advantage at 14-12, Megan Russell and Emma Moriarty spiked home back-to-back points before Lindsey Champitto aced the Pioneers on the next serve. Those three points ignited an 11-4 run to end the set, setting up the Lakers to cruise through the next two games for the 3-0 victory.
Eight different Lakers recorded more than one kill, led by Russell's nine. Freshman Ariel Murawski was close behind with eight, while Jessica Long (6), Kelsey Dillon (6), Alison Sullivan (5), Moriarty (4), Kim Cassa (3) and Meaghan Roefs (2) all chipped in multiple kills.
Juniors Champitto and Lauren Edwards combined on the setting duty, assisting on 15 and 17 points, respectively. Freshman Alison Berger also got in on the assisting action, tallying a season-high three.
Russell also paced the Lakers on defense, blocking one Utica attack by herself while adding two assist in the tilt. Sullivan and Moriarty each finished with one block assist apiece. Senior Rachael Ruggaber showed her skill on defense, tying for a match-high 12 digs.
As a team, Oswego aced the Pioneers 12 times, with Champitto (3), Long (3), Murawski (2) and Mary Mantagnola (2) combining for 10 of that total.
MATCH TWO – Oswego 3, D'Youville 0 (25-13, 25-13, 25-19):
The Lakers kept it on autopilot in their second match of the night, not allowing D'Youville to score more than 19 points in any set.
It was the same culprits leading Oswego as the duel with Utica earlier in the day, as Russell kept her dominance on offense with a match-high 11 kills. Edwards again showed the way in setting the hitters, collecting 21 assists. Edwards was again aided by Champitto, who finished with 12 assists.
Sullivan had the most blocks for the Lakers, recording a solo and an assist while Moriarty and Russell each had an assist. Ruggaber led Oswego in digs for the second-straight match and the eighth time the season, registering 14 against the Spartans.
