POTSDAM, N.Y.—The SUNY Potsdam women's volleyball team (6-1) defeated Utica University (4-3) and Hilbert College (1-6) on the second day of the North Country Classic on Saturday. The Bears downed the Pioneers 3-1 (25-23, 25-14, 21-25, 25-21) and the Hawks 3-0 (25-17, 25-14, 25-12).
Against the Pioneers, senior outside hitter
Jessica Ader (Highland Mills, N.Y./Monroe-Woodbury) continued to put up big numbers with a match-high 17 kills along with two aces and 14 digs. Senior outside hitter
Mikayla Myers (Gloversville, N.Y./Mayfield) had 12 kills and two blocks. Sophomore outside hitter
Marissa Wagoner (Clifton Park, N.Y./Shenendehowa) contributed six kills and four blocks. Senior setter
Colleen Murphy (Clifton Park, N.Y./Shenendehowa) recorded 22 assists and freshman setter
Sophia Layer (Winthrop, N.Y./Potsdam) added 20 more and three aces. Senior libero
Marley Hawthorne (Saratoga Springs, N.Y./Saratoga Springs) had a contest-best 29 digs and four aces.
Senior outside hitter Eleanor Cepiel (Acad. of Holy Names/West Sand Lake, N.Y.) led Utica with 13 kills and 14 digs. Freshman outside hitter Meghan Brennan (Pomperaug, N.Y./Southbury, Conn.) totaled seven kills and junior setter Madison Magliore (Tappan Zee, N.Y./Orangeburg, N.Y.) contributed 26 assists and 13 digs. Senior libero McKenna LaPorte (Cicero-North Syracuse/Liverpool, N.Y.) finished with 19 digs and two aces.
In the finale with the Hawks, junior outside hitter
Sophia Rowny (Glenville, N.Y./Burnt-Hills Ballston Lake), sophomore middle hitter
Santara Hart (Meridian, Idaho/Meridian) and Myers led the charge with 8, 7 and 6 kills each. Hart also had a match-best three blocks, while Rowny and Myers each had one. Layer added 16 assists, four aces and four digs to her totals. Murphy had 12 assists and Hawthorne registered nine digs. Senior outside hitter
Mackenzie Fischer (Cottekill, N.Y./Rondout Valley) had three aces.
Sophomore middle blocker Maria Spinelli (West Seneca, N.Y./West Seneca East) had a team-high seven kills for Hilbert. Freshman setter Jaden Helbig (Webster, N.Y.) had 13 assists, six digs and an ace. Junior outside hitter Cassandra Thompson (Arcade, N.Y./Pioneer) posted 13 digs.
At 6-1, the Bears are just two wins shy of matching last season's win total and are off to their best start since 2016.
Potsdam is back in action on Wednesday at 7 p.m. when St. Lawrence University comes to Maxcy Field House.
