POTSDAM, N.Y.—The SUNY Potsdam volleyball team (8-10, 2-2 SUNYAC) rallied from a 2-1 deficit for a critical 3-2 victory over SUNY Cortland (19-7, 3-1 SUNYAC) on Friday night. Bears freshman outside hitter Jessica Ader (Highland Mills, N.Y./Monroe Woodbury) outdid herself again with career-highs in kills (16) and digs (23) and junior captain Nicole Hansen (Fulton, N.Y./G. Ray Bodley) was a force with 13 kills, 18 digs, five aces and three blocks.
 
The Bears downed the Red Dragons 25-22 in the opening set, but Cortland answered with 25-20 and 25-16 wins over the next two. Potsdam then withstood late charges in sets four and five by 25-19 and 15-12 scores.
 
Sophomore outside hitter Emme Price (Glendale, Ariz./Deer Valley) contributed seven kills and  three blocks. Freshman setter Kendall Jones (Parker, Colo./Elizabeth) had another great night with 37 assists, while senior captain Natalie Magallon (Commerce, Calif./Bell Gardens) posted 22 digs and seven assists.
 
Sophomore outside hitter Hannah Southcott (Princeton, W.Va./Princeton) led the Red Dragons with 13 kills and 20 digs. Sophomore outside hitter Maya Owens (Nyack, N.Y./Nyack) had seven kills and four blocks. Junior middle back Bridgett Moran (Massapequa Park, N.Y./St. John the Baptist) also recorded seven kills along with eight blocks. Senior setter Gabby Amelio (Pine Bush, N.Y./Pine Bush) totaled 23 assists and a contest-best six aces. Fellow senior setter Malley Bowen (Tioga, N.Y./Tioga) posted 18 assists and 10 digs and freshman libero Carly Haegele (Commack, N.Y./Commack) finished with 16 digs and three assists.
 
It's the Bears' second straight victory over the Red Dragons. Potsdam defeated Cortland 3-2 on October 20, 2018 to clinch a berth in last season's SUNYAC Playoffs. It's the Bears fifth ever victory over Cortland.
 
Potsdam looks to keep its momentum rolling tomorrow afternoon when the Bears host Oswego State (15-6, 2-2) at 1 p.m.