Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 The SUNY Potsdam volleyball team fell in consecutive matches Saturday on the second day of the State University of New York Athletic Conference East Division play date at New Paltz.

The Bears (5-12 overall, 1-3 SUNYAC) finished with a 1-3 record for the weekend, defeating Plattsburgh in three sets yesterday.

"We're seeing improvement across the board, but we're just not quite there yet," Potsdam coach Steve Pike said. "(Junior) Sam Strader had a consistent, solid weekend, probably the best of her career, and (sophomore) Jessica Archinal and (freshman) Dakota Pruiss also made contributions."

In the first match of the day, Potsdam competed closely against Onenota but was outlasted 21-25, 25-19, 25-18, 26-24.

The Bears won the first set after falling behind 8-0 to begin the frame. After the Red Dragons (5-12, 2-2) won the next two, the teams battled to 24-24 in the fourth before Oneonta converted two straight points to take the match.

"It came down to a couple balls," Pike said. "We fell behind early in the first two sets and just had too many unforced errors."

Strader (Watertown, N.Y.) finished with 11 kills and 13 digs, while freshman Annie Smith (Burke, N.Y.) continued her solid offensive play with nine kills. Freshman Jenna Blujus (Baldwinsville, N.Y.) tallied 29 assists and three service aces, while senior captain Erica Romaniello (Selden, N.Y.) registered 17 digs.

Against New Paltz (14-4, 4-0), the Bears hit a high percentage but didn't get enough chances against the fast-paced offense and top-notch serving of the Hawks.

"We definitely learned areas to improve when defending a fast offense," Pike said.

Strader and Archinal (Amsterdam, N.Y.) combined for 12 kills to pace the offense. Blujus recorded 13 assists and 15 digs, and Romaniello totaled 17 digs.

Potsdam returns to play this Friday, Oct. 1, at St. Lawrence. Match time is slated for 7 p.m. in Canton, N.Y.