The Oswego State volleyball team had another successful weekend and looks to continue its good play this weekend against two more SUNYAC rivals.
The Lakers traveled to Plattsburgh State and SUNY Potsdam to take on the Cardinals and Bears this past weekend, Oct. 11 and 12. The Lakers beat the Cardinals with ease, winning 3-0 and by a total points score of 75-48. The team then traveled to SUNY Potsdam where it had some struggles before ultimately claiming victory.
The Lakers were up 2-1 before dropping the fourth set. Then, they dominated the fifth set, 15-3. Despite some challenges head coach J.J. O’Connell was satisfied with his team’s play.
“I think we played great all week actually,” O’Connell said. “The [Nazareth College] match midweek was good, we were in control the whole way against Plattsburgh which was good. We knew Potsdam was up and down, they run a tricky defense so we knew there was going to be some challenges with that. I felt like when push came to shove we were the ones that were going out aggressive.”
The Lakers are taking setting the tone of the match to a whole other level, as the team won the first set in two of its three games. Senior Sarah Massie said winning the first set makes them feel like they can win any match.
“It definitely shows that we can compete with anyone,” Massie said. “Sometimes it feels like there are a lot of teams that are favorites but when we come out and take the first set from them it’s like, ‘oh man we can win this.’ It makes us feel really good and keeps our confidence high.”
Heading into this weekend, the Lakers are fourth in SUNYAC with a 3-2 conference record. Their focus now shifts to the Buffalo State Bengals and the SUNY Fredonia Blue Devils. The Bengals are 0-5 in the conference which is last in the SUNYAC. The Blue Devils are 1-4 in SUNYAC play with their only conference win coming against the Bengals. These two games are against weaker opponents but O’Connell understands the big implications they have for the SUNYAC playoffs.
“This is a big stretch for us,” O’Connell said. “Usually four wins puts you in consideration and right now Fredonia and [Buffalo] State are near the bottom of the conference … so they’re certainly tough road games, but they are also opportunities for us to punch out ticket with five wins.”
There is a big opportunity for the Lakers playoff push. If they come out of this weekend with two wins, that would put them at 5-2 in the SUNYAC and with two games to go, there would be no chance to drop below .500 in the SUNYAC. It is also important to come out with two wins, because next week they take on the two of the best teams in the conference. The SUNY Geneseo Knights are 7-0 in the SUNYAC and have already punched their ticket to the playoffs. Their other opponent is The College at Brockport who sit in third in the conference. Senior Shauna O’Flaherty believes the playoffs are about keeping their confidence on the court.
“We just need to keep playing how we’re playing,” O’Flaherty said. “I think overall our conference play has been pretty good, and it has only been improving. If we continue to improve, I think the next few matches are going to go really well. We just have to keep our energy high and our confidence high.”
One thing the Lakers may need to keep an eye on is senior Lauren Fie who could be out this week with a sprained ankle. Fie came down on the foot of a SUNY Potsdam player and rolled her ankle. Her replacement would be junior Emily Klock, who has played in 36 sets this year. O’Connell still believes the Lakers can win with anybody on the court.
“Emily Klock is more than capable,” O’Connell said. “When we went down 3-1 in Pennsylvania, she was playing, so there’s no real reason why we still can’t win no matter who is in the lineup.”
Photo by Nicole Hube | The Oswegonian
