POTSDAM, N.Y.- The SUNY Potsdam volleyball team (5-17) fell to St. John Fisher College (11-12), but bounced back to take down Alfred University (3-20) on Day 1 of the Golden Eagle Invitational hosted by College at Brockport. The Bears fell to the Cardinals 1-3 and defended the Saxons 3-1.
 
Bears battled to a heart breaking loss to St. John Fisher during game one. The first and second sets went back and forth before the Cardinals took both 25-23. Potsdam came back and stomped St. John 25-11 in set three before falling in set four 25-23. Sophomore outside hitter Kelsey Tompkins (Vestal, N.Y./Vestal) led the Bears attack with 10 kills and junior outside hitter Stephanie Maddox (Anaheim, Calif./Cornelia Connelly) was close behind with nine of her own. Freshman setter Brianna Rodda (Holbrook, N.Y./Sachem East) compiled 28 assists, 19 digs and two aces. Sophomore utility Rachel Topf (Eagle River, Alaska/Chugiak) recorded seven aces, six kills and six digs for Potsdam. For the defense, junior libero Maddie Paquin (Queensbury, N.Y./Queensbury) and freshman outside hitter Maddie Kaplan (Plattsburgh, N.Y./Peru) were strong with 23 and 11 digs, respectively. The Cardinals were led by Amanda Miller with 12 kills and Anna Marcy added 11 and 10 digs. Meghan Stonebarger had 34 assists and 17 digs, while Katie Mazierski recorded 20 digs.
 
Potsdam and Alfred split the first two sets with the Saxons taking set one 26-24 and the Bears winning set two 25-23. After taking set two, Potsdam didn't look back taking the next two sets 25-11 and 25-21 for the victory. Tompkins and Topf led the offense with 14 and 12 kills, respectively. Rodda performed well for the second straight game with 37 assists and nine digs. Paquin had a career-high 28 digs for the defense and junior defender Sloane Campbell (Scotia, N.Y./Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake) added 11. For the Saxons, Heather D'Andrea led the attack with 12 kills. Elisabeth Estep helped the defense with 24 digs, while D'Andrea tacked on 18. Aubrey Totsline tallied 31 assists and 11 digs.
 
The Bears take on Hilbert College and Brockport tomorrow during the final day of the Golden Eagle Invitational at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.