POOL PLAY PAGE

OSWEGO, NY – The Fredonia women's volleyball team swept Buffalo State Friday evening in straight sets, 25-20, 25-19 and 25-18, in the opening match of SUNYAC play. The win also earns the Fredonia athletic program five points – the first-ever points awarded -- in the inaugural 'Battle by the Lake' competition between Fredonia and the Bengals.
 
"It's really special to be the first team to get points for Fredonia in this competition," head coach Geoff Braun said. "I think this will be a fun way to add to our rivalry."
 
The Blue Devils used strong defense en route to the victory. The back row defenders negated a deep line-up of Bengal hitters. Lauren Hokaj (Lancaster, N.Y.) finished the match with 21 digs, Paulina Rein (Baldwinsville, N.Y.) with 20 digs, and Sara Madison (Penfield, N.Y.) with 16 digs.
 
"We did a good job of keeping the pressure on them," Braun said. "Our floor defense was really strong. Hokaj, Paulina, and Sara all did a great job for us."
 
Offensively, Jessica DiChristopher (Cheektowaga, N.Y.) finished with 13 kills and a .440 hitting percentage.
 
"Jess was awesome again tonight at the net and they didn't really have an answer for her," Braun said.
 
Other top offensive performers were Megan Collins (Burlingham, N.Y.) with 14 kills, Rein with eight kills, and Madison with seven kills.
 
The win tonight ups the Blue Devils record to 9-6 overall and 1-0 in the SUNYAC. Pool play in Oswego continues Saturday when the Devils face Plattsburgh at 12:30 p.m. and Brockport at 3 p.m.