A five-set win over the University of Rochester gave Fredonia a Saturday split at the Buffalo State Bengal Classic.
The Blue Devils (7-5) were down 2-1 before rallying in the final two sets, 25-23 and 15-12.
"We did a good job maintaining our composure," Fredonia Head Coach Geoff Braun said. "We had to find different ways to score as the match progressed."
Kristen Stanek (Hamburg) had 15 kills and Kailey Falk (York, N.Y.) 13 kills to lead the Fredonia hitters. Hailie Christopher (East Amherst) ran the offense to the tune of 46 assists. Falk and Rachel Poirier (West Seneca, N.Y.) had four service aces each. Courtney Poirier (West Seneca) led the defense with 22 digs while Selena Brown (South Ozone Park, N.Y.) had two solo blocks and two block assists.
The Blue Devils fell to Case Western, 3-0, earlier Saturday afternoon. "We had a hard time," Braun said, "slowing down their offense." Falk was the top hitter with 13 kills to go along with 14 digs, Christopher collected 30 assists, Courtney Poirier added 13 digs, while Emma Falk (York, N.Y.) had two solo blocks.
The Blue Devils play host to five other teams for the first round of SUNYAC Pool Play at Dods Hall next Friday and Saturday. The Fredonia vs. Buffalo State match at 5 p.m. is the first contest in the year-long Battle By The Lake series vs. the Bengals.
