BROCKPORT, N.Y. – The Brockport Golden Eagle volleyball team clinched their second straight SUNYAC Tournament Championship on Saturday, and with it a berth to the NCAA tournament.
 
The team will now await the seeding information from the NCAA selection show at 12:30 PM on Monday to see who and where they'll play next. Fans are encouraged to come to the Eagle lookout to view the selection show with the team.
 
Senior Sam Holdredge was named tournament MVP, with Noelle Poloncarz and Kathleen Irwin also being named to the All-Tournament team.
 
For the second straight season, the championship match between Brockport and New Paltz was a thrilling one, both going four sets with Brockport coming out on top. The first set in this match was as close as the two teams, with both sides trading points for the majority of the frame until Brockport took four of the final five points to give them a 25-21 set victory. Holdredge was instrumental in that late run, killing two straight balls late to help give the Eagles the momentum for the win.
 
Set two was another tight one, as Brockport had to come back from down two at 15-13. A four point run allowed them to regain the lead, as some tough serves from Irwin forced the Hawks out of system resulting in three straight hitting errors. New Paltz fought back to even the score at 18-18, but the Golden Eagles took seven of the final eight points behind two Maddy Taylor service aces to secure the win.
 
New Paltz was finally able to finish the job in the third set when Chantal Ramhorst came off the bench and put down the final two kills, giving them the 26-24 edge. The Golden Eagles gained some momentum toward the end of the frame however, as three kills and a block from Holdredge brought them back from a four-point hole to force extra points.
 
Brockport used the momentum from their third set comeback to come out flying in the fourth, proving why they're the top team in the conference. The combination of tough serving, great defense, and exceptional offense kept the Hawks off-balance for the entirety of the set, and allowed Brockport to win easily, 25-14. Jamie Schlesinger served an ace for the clinching point, moving the packed stands in Jim and John Vlogianitis Gymnasium to their feet.
 
Schlesinger's ace was one of the teams six total, a category that was led by Taylor who also added eleven digs. Irwin was once again the leader in the digs column, notching another 29 and earning herself a spot on the All-Tournament team.
 
Pin hitters Holdredge and Emma Stoltz put up huge numbers offensively, combing for 35 kills while each adding a block assist. Holdredge was also a force on defense, digging up 15 Hawk attacks. Her Tournament MVP selection was fitting as the squads lone senior in her final SUNYAC contest.
 
Poloncarz dished out 45 assists, bringing her total in the tournament to 95. She also contributed 16 digs and four kills, one of which came on a 50/50 ball in the first set and forced a New Paltz timeout.
 
Not to be forgotten was Brianna Richardson, who followed up her nine-block performance last night with another three block assists. She also added six kills, which was tied for third on the team with fellow middle blocker Kelly Waters.
 
Updates and information on the opening round of the NCAA tournament will be provided when available.
 
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" Facebook page.