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The Oswego State volleyball team went the distance twice on Friday, earning wins in both contests on the first day of the University of Scranton Invitational to stay perfect on the year. Oswego opened with a 3-2 win over the host Royals before taking down Pitt-Bradford by the same score in the nightcap.
MATCH ONE – Oswego 3, Scranton 2 (25-17, 25-17, 14-25, 13-25, 15-10):
After taking the first two sets in convincing 25-17 fashion, the Lakers dropped the third and fourth sets to force a decisive fifth set. The Lakers ended Scranton's ideas of a comeback in the final set, downing the Royals 15-10.
In just her second collegiate match, freshman Ariel Murawski led the Lakers on the attack, finishing with a team-high 11 kills. Out of 13 active players for Oswego in the match, nine recorded a kill, including Megan Russell (8), Kim Cassa (7) and Jessica Long (6).
Junior Lauren Edwards paced the Lakers on the passing front, ending with 23 assists. Edwards received help from classmate Lindsey Champitto, who finished with 12 assists.
On defense, another freshman took the spotlight, as Alison Sullivan tallied three solo stops and another six assists. Murawski collected one of each while Cassa and senior Kelsey Dillon each notched three block assists.
Adding to the defensive effort were Cassa and Rachael Ruggaber, winding up with 10 and 18 digs, respectively.
MATCH TWO – Oswego 3, Pitt-Bradford 2 (25-22, 25-22, 15-25, 23-25, 17-15):
It was déjà vu for Oswego in its second tilt of the day, as the Lakers jumped out to a 2-0 lead before dropping the next two sets. In a closer fifth set than earlier in the day, Oswego came out victorious, outlasting Pitt-Bradford 17-15.
Three Lakers registered double-digit kills in the outing, with Emma Moriarty showing the way with 11. Juniors Russell and Meaghan Roefs each had 10 to round out the trio.
Oswego was solid on the serve in the match, with Champitto taking three aces while Edwards and Roefs each had two. As a team, the Lakers totaled nine aces in the match.
Edwards was the primary passer for Oswego, setting 32 assists with Champitto chipping in 14. Defensively, Ruggaber was stellar with 28 digs while Cassa dug 23.
As a team, Oswego recorded eight block assist and two of the solo variety.
The Lakers will put their perfect 3-0 record on the line on day two of the invitational, starting with Anna Maria College at 9 a.m. on Saturday. Oswego's final match will be determined by its first outcome and the outcome of the other morning matches.
