The Oswego women’s volleyball team had a busy week in SUNYAC, with two games on the road. The first game was against SUNY Oneonta, where the Lakers won, improving their record to a four-game winning streak. The second game was against SUNY New Paltz. However, this time, the Lakers lost in a very fierce match.

In the first game, against the Red Dragons, winning in three sets to zero. In the first set of the game, everything started well for the Lakers, opening a 3-0 lead quickly. However, the Red Dragons shortened the advantage and almost tied everything up, making the score 4-3. The set remained very close, with both teams not letting the other open a significant advantage. That kept happening until the Lakers opened a 23-19 lead and almost guaranteed the first set. And after a kill by Priscilla McReynolds, the Lakers fin ished the first set of the game with a score of 25-22, with a game of possible unforeseen events for the following sets.

The second set was the calmest one if you just see the score, but in reality, it started well contested between the two teams. It began with the Red Dragons subbing on three players and making it worth, opening a 4-1 score over the Lakers. But Kalley Vugteveen would let this advantage increase, as she was crucial and participated in four consecutive points, making the Lakers take the lead and open a 6-4 score. Both teams kept battling for points and not letting the other open a significant advantage. However, everything changed when the Red Dragons untied the score and opened an 11-10 score. After that, the Lakers dominated the set and only conceded three points, with Lauren Cropp and Mya Bush being crucial to closing the set at 25-14.

The third and last set of the game was the most competitive of the match, forcing the set to end with 26 points. Everything started great for the Red Dragons, making it 4-0 and with a lot of hope. Two of these points were due to attacking errors. The Lakers responded in kind, turned the game around, and started to play point by point after 6-5. The Red Dragons became the leaders at 19-18 but soon changed back to the Lakers at 20-19. The game was closely contested and ended 26-24 for the Lakers.

The second game was against the Hawks, another game on the road, but the Lakers lost in a more competitive match this time. The first set was very close for both teams; the Lakers led 4-2 but then saw the game become very even until halfway through the set when the Hawks opened up a more significant lead. It was 20-17 for the Hawks, and they improved in the match, making it 24-17 irreversible. The Lakers still scored one point, but the set ended 25-18.

The second set started with the Hawks using momentum and opening a big lead of 7-3, which they then increased further, making it 17-9. The Lakers had to come back if they wanted to have a chance of winning the game. That’s when Emily Zeisler contributed four consecutive points and Gabriella Bishop six points, making the Lakers stand in front with a score of 24-20. The Hawks tried to come back, but everything was settled with a 25-23.

The third set was essential for both teams. Whoever won would be advantageous in finishing the game in the fourth set. The momentum also helped in this set, and the Lakers opened a 7-4 advantage. It increased to 13-8, and everything was going to a calm set. But that changed when the Hawks tied everything up 14-14 with three consecutive kills. The rest of the set was very balanced and the teams alternated points between them. The Lakers win 25-23 in the end.

The fourth set started again, with the Lakers dominating and hoping to finish with peace of mind when they opened a 9-5 score. Maria Weigand changed the game after that, being part of eight consecutive points for the Hawks and opening a 14-9 lead. The advantage increased to 21-14, and the set was practically over. The Hawks closed everything with 25-16.

The last and decisive fifth set was very balanced until 5-5. Suddenly, the Hawks decided the game and opened a wide 13-5 lead, with Weigand deciding again. The set ended 15-8.

The Laker’s next game will be against SUNY Fredonia on Nov. 1. If everything goes well, the Lakers will play their next matches and prepare for the SUNYAC playoffs.

Photo by: Oswego Athletics