The Oswego State volleyball team finished their 2024 season with an upset loss in the SUNYAC playoffs. The game was against SUNY New Paltz, where they dominated the Lakers, with the score ending 3-0.

From the beginning, the first set seemed to be very balanced. The Lakers took a slight 4-2 lead but soon saw that lead equalized two points later. The game was balanced until 12-12, with five of the last six points of the game coming with individual errors in both serving and attacks. Jamie Albrecht was crucial for the Hawks, participating in five of the last six points. With the lead increasing to 21-14, the Hawks had already raised their hopes of closing the set calmly and the Lakers seemed shaken by this final and overwhelming sequence. It did not take long for the Hawks to close the set in 25-16.

The second set started very similar to the first, but this time, the Hawks started with 4-2 and saw the lead tied minutes later. Even after losing the first set with momentum, the Lakers managed to get the score closer again. Tying everything at 8-8. After the draw, the Lakers picked up momentum and took advantage of the strength they gained during the set to open a big lead with five consecutive points. Mya Bush was active on four of these points. But the joy did not last long for the Lakers. The Hawks scored six straight points and again had the advantage in the match. Both teams shared points and moments of advantage until the end of the set, which ended very tight with a 25-23 for the Hawks.

The third and final set for the Lakers this season was not as fans expected. The Hawks dominated the Lakers at the beginning of the set, making it 6-1 and opening the season’s most important set with victory. Even with the defeat, the Lakers did not give up at any point and came close to the scoreboard the first time with a kill by Cara Simplicio, 11-7. The second time after an attacking error, 14-9. The third time, an incredible sequence of seven points, looked like favoritism could turn around the Lakers almost tied at 17-16. Simplicio was again crucial, participating in six of these points. The draw came after this recovery at 19-19, and everything seemed to have a possible turnaround with the possible historic turn of the Lakers. But Albrecht killed the Lakers’ dream, finishing the set and the game at 25-21.

This marked the last game of the season for the Lakers, who closed the 2024 season with a 14-14 record and a 5-4 SUNYAC record.

Photo by: Oswego Athletics