BROCKPORT, N.Y. – The College at Brockport Women's Volleyball team were striking on all cylinders against familiar opponents as the team won consecutive matches by three sets to zero during the Golden Eagle Volleyball Invitational in the Jim and John Vlogiantis Gymnasium.
Brockport (23-1 Overall) defeated Hilbert and St. John Fisher in its second matchup against both squads on the 2015 season. The Green and Gold swept the Hawks by scores of 25-13, 25-12 and 25-14 before handing the Cardinals its second loss of the week at the hands of the Golden Eagles. Brockport defeated Fisher by scores of 25-18, 25-13 and 25-16.
A variety of Golden Eagles were able to show off their talent during the two matches with several players standing out in the process. During the first match Brockport spread the ball around with setters Rachel Fiser and Noelle Poloncarz splitting duties. Fiser led the team with 18 assists as Poloncarz contributed 15 more.
Sophomore Emily Flohr was the lone Golden Eagle to total double digits in successful attacks. She tallied 10 kills with a quality .316 hitting percentage as she also led the team with two aces. Freshman DeAnna Ortiz-Whittemore made her Golden Eagle debut adding five kills, four digs and an assist to the mix.
On the defensive end, Fiser led the team with 10 digs while Ashley Capone totaled two blocks in two sets played. The senior middle also contributed four kills compared to zero errors while her middle block teammate Brianna Richardson posted three kills with zero errors in a single set played.
Against St. John Fisher, Brockport came out a little sluggish after a three hour gap between matches. The Cardinals played Brockport tough keeping set one close. St. John Fisher trailed 19-17 before the Golden Eagles strung together five straight points, including two Kayla Barber kills. The Cardinals postponed the inevitable in set one with a kill of its own before Barber closed the game out.
A six point swing by the Golden Eagles in set two propelled the Brockport win as the Green and Gold took a 16-6 advantage on a Sam Holdredge kill. Barber scored the final point of the second set as well with a kill set by Holdredge.
Another six point run by the Golden Eagles pushed Brockport ahead to a comfortable 23-13 lead. The Cardinals scored three of the next four points before Barber and Mallory Sullivan teamed up to close the match out with an emphatic block.
In the second match, Holdredge played exceptionally on both offense and defense posting 12 kills compared to only two errors while also adding 12 digs and an ace. Barber led the team in kills with 13 while Richardson and Poloncarz combined for nine kills with zero errors. Poloncarz unleashed a bevy of passes to her Golden Eagle teammates and was credited with 34 assists. The sophomore setter also led the team with two blocks.
Libero Katheen Irwin had help from a collection of teammates on the defensive end and still was able to finish with 20 digs while Aimee Spilman's strong effort saw her add 11 more digs. The Green and Gold finished the match with 66 total digs combined.
Brockport returns to action tomorrow in the second and final day of the Golden Eagle Volleyball Invitational. The opening match of Saturday is against Alfred at 11 a.m. and the final match to conclude the tournament is at 3 p.m. against Potsdam. Be sure to stay up to date on all your Golden Eagle scores and awards by following @BportAthletics on Twitter and by liking the "Brockport Golden Eagles" on Facebook.
