POTSDAM, N.Y. — Keuka College closed out the North Country Showdown with two commanding wins, sweeping Husson University to open the day before defeating SUNY Potsdam 3-1 in the tournament finale.
Nina Scott tied for seventh all-time in kills in a four set match with 21 against SUNY Potsdam.
Summer Elza tie for ninth all-time in assists in a four set match against SUNY Potsdam with 38. Alessandra Castañeda filled the stat sheet against Husson University with seven kills, a team-high 18 digs, and two service aces.
Gabby Rodriguez anchored the back row with 24 against SUNY Potsdam along with 11 digs three service aces against Husson University to move to seventh all-time in digs in a career with 988.
Keuka College 3, Husson University 0 - 25-16, 25-17, 25-19
Keuka College took control of the opening set early. After the score was tied at 2-2, a 5-0 run highlighted by a service ace from
Lilly Devine (Windsor, N.Y./Windsor), consecutive service aces from Elza and back-to-back kills by Castañeda built a 14-7 advantage. Later in the set, Rodriguez sparked another surge with a service ace and three straight points before consecutive aces by
Meaghan Knott pushed the lead to 23-10. Husson scored six of the next seven points, but Castañeda ended the rally with her fourth kill of the set for a 25-16 win.
The Wolves carried that momentum into the second set. Trailing 2-1, Keuka College scored six of the next seven points behind a block from
Gianna Falleti and
Lilah Cousins, kills from Castañeda and Scott, and Husson attack errors. Midway through the frame, Castañeda took over from the service line with back-to-back aces as part of an 8-1 run that stretched the advantage from 12-9 to 20-9. Husson closed the gap late, but kills by Falleti and
Addisyn Chorney helped seal the 25-17 victory.
Keuka College dominated the start of the third set, racing to an 8-0 lead. Rodriguez served six straight points during the run, including two aces, while Scott and Falleti combined for three kills. Husson gradually trimmed the deficit to 22-19, but the Wolves responded in the closing moments. Cousins delivered a kill to make it 23-19, Castañeda followed with another kill, and
Jaylyn Knight capped the sweep with a service ace.
Keuka College 3 at SUNY Potsdam 1 - 23-25, 25-15, 25-5, 25-20
Keuka College battled back after falling behind early in the opening set. Trailing 15-8, the Wolves mounted a seven-point run behind Rodriguez's serving, highlighted by back-to-back aces and kills from Scott and Chorney to even the score at 15-15. The teams traded points down the stretch and Keuka College erased another two-point deficit to pull within 24-23, but SUNY Potsdam held on for the opening set.
The Wolves seized control in the second set. Rodriguez again sparked the offense from the service line as Keuka College turned a 4-3 lead into a commanding 10-3 advantage with a seven-point run featuring an ace and kills by Chorney, Falleti, and Scott. The Green and Gold never looked back, extending the margin to 24-14 before a kill from Cousins closed out a 25-15 victory to even the match.
Keuka College dominated the third set from the opening serve. Rodriguez engineered a stunning 17-0 run that featured two service aces while Scott, Falleti, and Chorney repeatedly found the floor. Scott added a pair of solo blocks during the run, and the Wolves never allowed SUNY Potsdam back into the set. A combined block by Falleti and Cousins pushed the lead to 23-5 before Castañeda ended the set with a kill for a decisive 25-5 win.
The Wolves carried that momentum into the fourth set, racing out to a 14-6 lead behind kills from Scott, Rodriguez, Falleti, and Chorney. SUNY Potsdam gradually chipped away and closed within 22-20 late in the set, but Keuka College answered. Castañeda put away a kill to reach match point, and an attacking error by SUNY Potsdam sealed the 25-20 set victory and the 3-1 match win.
KC Notes:
- This was the first meeting between Keuka College and Husson University as the Wolves improved to 1-0 all-time against the Eagles
- The Green and Gold snapped a three game losing streak against SUNY Potsdam with the win today
- With 18 total kills, Castañeda moved to over 300 kills in her career
Up Next for Keuka College: The Wolves have a week off until their next match as they play in the Lancaster Bible College Tri-Match on Saturday, September 26.
