ROCHESTER, N.Y. – The College at Brockport volleyball team wrapped up day two of the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) Invitational, splitting on the day against solid competition, falling to Vassar College (3-2) and defeating Nazareth College (3-1).
 
The Golden Eagles improve to 16-8 in 2017, while Vassar moves to 19-3 and Nazareth falls to 14-9.
 
Game One vs Vassar College: L, 3-2 (17-25, 25-20, 21-25, 25-22, 11-15)
 
Brockport found itself in a battle to open the day, needing five sets to determine a winner. Both teams went toe-to-toe in set one, keeping the game close. The Golden Eagles fell behind after the Brewers rallied off four points to take a 16-11 advantage. The Green and Gold offense could not pick up the pace, dropping the first set 25-17.
 
In set two, the Green and Gold battled with the Brewers, trading points to start play. Brockport stepped ahead 11-9 after a three-point rally, with two kills coming from DeAnna Ortiz-Whittemore and a block from Kelly Waters and Jamie Schlesinger. Brockport again found itself in a hole at 18-15, before Kathleen Irwin came into the service rotation and led a six-point run, earning three aces to reclaim a 21-18 lead. The Brockport offense closed the door on a four-point streak to clinch set two, 25-20.
 
In set three, Brockport fell behind early, following a seven-point Brewer run. The Golden Eagles put together a six-point rally to tie the game at 8-8, with points coming from Ortiz-Whittemore, Noelle Poloncarz, and Schlesinger. The Green and Gold defense struggled, and despite a late-set surge, couldn't capture the set, falling 25-21.
 
Brockport started the fourth set hot, with three straight kills from Waters and Laiken Fox. The Golden Eagles maintained the lead throughout the game, with back-to-back two point rallies to take a 14-11 advantage. The lead was extended when the Green and Gold earned four straight points, after a block and three consecutive kills from Ortiz-Whittemore.  Brockport closed out the fourth set on a three-point run, to force a fifth by a score of 25-22.
 
In the fifth set, the Green and Gold found themselves trailing after an early back-and-fourth start. A three-point swing closed the gap, pulling Brockport to within two at 11-9, but the Golden Eagles couldn't complete the comeback, falling 15-11.
 
It was a balanced effort for the Green and Gold, with the offense led by Whittemore-Ortiz who swung for 19 kills. Fox added double digits with 10 kills, while Richardson chipped in eight. Poloncarz racked up 44 assists on the day, while Maddy Taylor led the defensive efforts with an impressive 28 digs. Poloncarz and Schlesinger each added 17 digs in the match.
 
Game Two vs Nazareth College: W, 3-1 (21-25, 25-14, 25-23, 25-11)
 
The Golden Eagles fought to bounce back in game two, working past the Golden Flyers for the match, 3-1. After falling in a close first set, 25-21, the Green and Gold fought to make quick work in the second set, taking the frame 25-14. A big 16-3 run from the Golden Eagles helped close the door in set two, establishing a 23-12 lead behind kills from Meaghan Mastro, Fox, Schlesinger and Richardson as well as the strong serving of Irwin. A Poloncarz kill put the finishing touches on the frame, as Brockport rolled into the third set with momentum.
 
In set three, head coach Steve Pike's squad had to fight for the win, narrowly sneaking out a 25-23 victory. Brockport remained in control throughout the set, establishing an 18-14 lead with three straight points, capped by a Mastro kill. The Green and Gold used another three-point swing, this time sparked by a Schlesinger kill to push to a 22-16 edge. The Golden Eagles saw the Golden Flyers try to charge late, but held off their opponents to secure set three.
 
In the final set, Brockport wasted no time working to seal the match, powering to an 11-1 lead, with the Green and Gold offense firing on all cylinders. The Brockport advantage proved too much for Nazareth to overcome, as Brockport cemented the match win with a final set win, 25-11.
 
In the match, Brockport again proved to be a balanced program, with three Golden Eagles racking up double-digit kills. Fox led the match with 20 kills, while Schlesinger and Mastro each chipped in 10 kills apiece. Richardson and Ortiz-Whittemore weren't far off pace, adding nine and eight kills respectively.
 
Poloncarz tallied a season-high 51 assists in the contest, while also doing her part on the defensive side with 15 digs. Taylor again led the defense, sprawling for 16 digs in the contest, while Irwin picked up 14 and added five aces.
 
The Golden Eagles will be back in action on Oct. 20 when they return to State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) action in the final pool play weekend, hosted by Buffalo State. Brockport will kick the weekend off with a match against SUNY Potsdam at 5 p.m.
 
Be sure to stay up to date on all your Golden Eagle news, scores, and awards by following @BportAthletics on Twitter and by like the "Brockport Golden Eagles" Facebook page.