The Plattsburgh State volleyball team traveled to SUNY Cortland last weekend to compete in its first SUNYAC play of the year. After losing eight straight matches, the Cardinals looked to bounce back in their first big match against The College at Brockport.
PSUC (4-11, 1-2) fought hard against the three-time defending champion Golden Eagles (8-8, 2-1) but ultimately came up short, losing all three sets (25-16, 25-22, 25-17). Middle blocker Michelle Simmons continued to dominate, collecting nine kills and three aces in the match.
The Cards opened up play on Saturday against host team SUNY Cortland (5-10, 1-2). Their play off the serve hindered their results again this week, giving up 13 aces against the Red Dragons. PSUC again dropped all three sets (25-16, 25-17, 25-19).
The Cards closed out the weekend against Buffalo State (3-14, 0-3). Entering the match with a 10-game losing streak, PSUC was able to come up with a 3-0 win (25-19, 25-20, 25-22).
Outside hitter Megan Hyde led the Cards hitting with 10 kills on the match.
Despite the win, PSUC still struggled off the serve, giving up seven aces to Buffalo State while only flooring four themselves.
“We’re starting to work on serve-receive a lot more,” Simmons said. “That’s what really killed us.”
Libero Maddy Zophy explained how important practicing playing off the serve is.
“We’ve been doing a lot of work on that, and that definitely showed in the games this weekend,” Zophy said.
In the last two tournaments, the Cards were unable to close out the tournaments despite coming close, losing every set to Mount Saint Vincent by only five, and losing in five sets to Wells College.
“It feels amazing,” Simmons said of snapping the losing streak. “We just need to keep our focus and our energy up”.
Zophy described the team’s reaction to beating Buffalo State in three straight sets.
“Everyone was super excited, it has everyone pumped up for next weekend,” Zophy said.
After the first week of conference play, the Cards sit at 1-2 in SUNYAC play. The only perfect teams remaining are SUNY New Paltz (3-0) and SUNY Geneseo (3-0). The Cards return to SUNYAC play on Oct. 5.
Tonight, PSUC takes on Norwich University (4-6) in Northfield, Vermont. Norwich has yet to win a match on its home court.
Tomorrow, the Cards will travel to Saratoga Springs to play in the Skidmore Classic. They’ll open the day playing St. John Fisher College (8-7). Fisher is on a four game winning streak.
PSUC will close out their weekend by taking on the College of New Rochelle (3-10). The Blue Angels are off to a slow start with a .231 winning percentage. Of their three wins, two of them have been conference wins.
Email Jack Flood at cp@cardinalpointsonline.com
