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POTSDAM, N.Y.—The SUNY Potsdam volleyball team (3-3) battled to two five-set victories over SUNY Plattsburgh (2-3) and CEGEP André-Laurendeau to close out the 2014 Victory Promotions Invitational on Saturday afternoon. St. Lawrence University (4-3) won the tournament championship by way of a 4-0 record. The Bears finished third and freshman setter Rachael Topf (Eagle River, Alaska/Chugiak) was named to the all-tournament team.
 
Against the Cardinals, Potsdam dropped two out of the first three sets (15-25, 25-23, 20-25) before rallying for victories in the final two sets (25-17, 16-14). Topf was strong for the Bears with 20 assists, six kills and two aces. Senior outside hitter Liza Fields (Duanesburg, N.Y./Duanesburg) gave her strongest performance of the season with 16 kills and 22 digs. Senior libero Gabby Arana (Williston Park, N.Y./Herricks) contributed 26 digs and freshman setter Kelsea Healis (San Diego, Calif./Rancho Cotate) had a career-high 10 digs. Senior outside hitters Tia Wright (Vestal, N.Y./Vestal) and Sharon Ofori (Bronx, N.Y./John F. Kennedy) finished with seven and five kills, respectively.
 
Against André-Laurendeau, the Bears raced out to a 2-0 match lead on 25-15 and 25-18 victories, but the Boomerang bounced back with consecutive 25-16 wins. Potsdam put A.L. away with a 15-11 win in the decisive fifth set. Junior outside hitter Casey Chase (Central Square, N.Y./Paul V. Moore) led Potsdam with 11 kills, while Wright had 10 kills and three block assists. Fields added eight kills, four aces and 12 digs and Topf shone brightly with another 30 assists.
 
Bears head coach Josh Stokes was very pleased with the play of his freshman.
 
"Rachel didn't play like a freshman," said Stokes. "She was huge for us all weekend. And Liza's triple-double against Plattsburgh was impressive."
 
The Bears will look to avenge yesterday's loss to St. Lawrence on Wednesday, when they head to Canton to take on the Saints at 7 p.m.