The Oswego State volleyball team travelled out to western New York this past weekend for two crucial SUNYAC games versus SUNY Fredonia and Buffalo State. The trip did not go to plan for the Lakers, who lost a heartbreaking 3-2 match against SUNY Fredonia, before getting swept 3-0 in sets by Buffalo State to fall to 6-8 on the year and 0-3 in SUNYAC conference play.
Oswego State started their weekend trip to the Buffalo area on the Lake Erie side of town, as they paid a visit to Fredonia on Friday night. The first set saw Oswego take a 23-21 lead, but 4 unanswered rallies from SUNY Fredonia would sink the Lakers hopes in the first set by a score of 25-23. The second set went to SUNY Fredonia by the same score, 25-23. However, Oswego State put together a strong rally late to force a fifth set. The third set was a romping 25-18 set-dominating effort from the Lakers, who took control early and set sail to make it 2-1. They followed that effort up by winning the fourth set, holding off rallies made by SUNYFredonia late to win 25-20.
The fifth set did not see Oswego State prevail, despite their best efforts. SU-
NY Fredonia started the match off with six unanswered rallies. Oswego State pulled it back to 8-7 after SUNY Fredonia’s strong start, but it was merely a bump in the road for SUNY Fredonia as they cruised to a 15-10 set win to take the match. SUNY Fredonia’s win moved them to 2-0 in the SUNYAC, as Oswego State dropped to 0-2 in SUNYAC play with the loss. Georgia Farry led the way offensively for Oswego State with seven kills, while Skylar Bechard dominated the back of the court with 28 digs in the match. Sydney Chiffriller continued her strong season all around the court, with six kills and 14 digs in the match.
Oswego State traveled northeast on I-90 to take on Buffalo State the next day, in hopes of rebounding from the previous night’s loss to take their first SUNYAC win of the year. However, they again delivered another difficult loss as Buffalo State swept the sets 3-0 to take their first SUNYAC win of the year.
The 3-0 set sweep only tells part of the story of the match. Oswego State led the first set late by a score of 24-19. A 5-0 run by Buffalo State forced extra rallies as the Tigers tied the game at 24. Buffalo State then kept the momentum rolling, taking a thrilling win on a service ace 27-25. It was a gutting defeat for the Lakers. From there, Oswego State failed to find the strength or momentum they carried early. Buffalo State made their control of the match clear in set two, as they handed Oswego State a 25-16 set loss that seemed to take any wind that was left in the Lakers’ sails away. Their lost the third set 25-19 to wrap up a disappointing weekend for the Oswego State volleyball team.
These losses come at an extremely crucial point in the season for Oswego as well. Oswego State has pivotal SUNYAC matchups coming up this weekend, and a win this past weekend would have greatly improved Oswego State’s chances at contending for the SUNYAC championship. The matches coming up this weekend come against historically strong teams. However, fortunately for Oswego, these matches will be at home in the Max Ziel Gymnasium. They face SUNY Geneseo on Oct. 1, before playing against regular SUNYAC title contender SUNY Brockport on Oct. 2.
Shelby Peplowski | The Oswegonian
