Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 POTSDAM – The SUNY Potsdam volleyball team defeated Morrisville 25-8, 25-11, 25-13 in the nightcap of two matches Friday at the Victory Promotions Invitational at Welsh Gymnasium.

The Bears (2-4) were defeated earlier in the day by cross-town rival Clarkson 25-20, 25-15, 25-18.

Potsdam came out hot against Morrisville (2-4), starting the match with a 12-2 run riding the serve of sophomore Jessica Archinal (Amsterdam, N.Y.), who finished with five kills, three service aces and four digs.

Fueled by the wave of momentum, the Bears cruised through the remainder of the match, not allowing the Mustangs to make a run.

“It was good to see a lot of people contribute,” Potsdam coach Steve Pike said. “Jess Archinal played very well … it was a big moment for her. (Freshman) Brittany Lapham ran the offense very well.”

Freshman Erin Wagner (Rochester, N.Y.) paced a balanced Potsdam offensive attack with eight kills. Sophomore Hannah Lockwood (Victor, N.Y.) chipped in with three kills, four service aces and five digs, while senior captain Erica Romaniello (Selden, N.Y.) continued her solid play in the back row with 12 digs. Lapham (West Chazy, N.Y.) led the team with 21 assists.

“We kept the ball in system and did what we needed to do,” Pike said.

The Bears traded points in the first set against Clarkson before the Golden Knights (5-0) made a four-point run midway through the set, taking a 17-13 lead. The two teams played evenly for the rest of the set, but Potsdam couldn't overcome mid-set run.

In the second and third sets, Clarkson made early runs of 12-2 and 13-7, respectively, to gain control.

“Our serve receive as a team was pretty good,” Pike said. “In our scrimmage against them (during the preseason), they served us off the court. Allison Metot played very well and Annie Smith brought heat and speed to the volleyball.”

Metot (Bernhards Bay, N.Y.) led the Bears offense with eight kills, while Smith (Burke, N.Y.) collected four kills and four digs. Freshman Jenna Blujus (Baldwinsville, N.Y.) totaled 16 assists and 11 digs. Romaniello paced the defense with 14 digs.

Potsdam resumes tournament play tomorrow against Hamilton at 1 p.m. and Buffalo St. at 3 p.m.

Victory Promotions Invitational – Day 1 results

Round 1:
Clarkson 3, Potsdam 0 (25-20, 25-15, 25-18)
St. Lawrence 3, Plattsburgh 0 (25-20, 25-23, 25-16)

Round 2:
Clarkson 3, Buffalo St. 0 (25-21, 25-10, 25-19)
Hamilton 3, Morrisville 0 (25-10, 25-21, 25-22)
St. Lawrence 3, SUNYIT 0 (25-23, 25-16, 25-8)
RIT 3, Oswego 0 (28-26, 25-19, 25-18)

Round 3:
Potsdam 3, Morrisville 0 (25-8, 25-11, 25-13)
Hamilton 3, Buffalo St. 2 (25-13, 25-22, 20-25, 23-25, 15-13)
RIT 3, SUNYIT 1 (25-13, 25-13, 20-25, 25-14)
Oswego 3, Plattsburgh 1 (25-21, 25-20, 13-25, 25-23)