BUFFALO, N.Y.— Buffalo State wrapped up its two-day, six-team Bengal Challenge today in the Sports Arena by dropping a straight-sets match to John Carroll before closing out the tournament with a four-set loss to Houghton in the later match.
MATCH 1 BASICS
FINAL SCORE: John Carroll def. Buffalo State, 3-0 (25-22, 25-19, 25-21)
LOCATION: Sports Arena – Buffalo, N.Y.
RECORDS: John Carroll (8-3), Buffalo State (3-6)
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Alena McKelvey (Buffalo/City Honors) and Bryanna Fisher (Brooklyn/Midwood) led the Bengals in the opening match by each posting nine kills, with Fisher added three blocks.
- Brooke Federko (Jamestown/Jamestown) tallied 28 assists, while Kayla Wolinski (Lancaster/Lancaster) added 14 digs.
- John Carroll jumped out to an early 17-13 lead in the first set off of the strength of two early runs, but Buffalo State responded by trimming the lead back to 20-19.
- The Blue Streaks recaptured their momentum by scoring five of the next eight points to claim the first set 25-22.
- Buffalo State surrendered an early 15-6 run in the opening minutes of the second frame and never recovered as John Carroll won the second set 25-19.
- The Bengals and the Blue Steaks matched each other point-for-point in the third set until a late 9-2 run by John Carroll proved to be the difference as the Blue Streaks closed out the game with a 25-21 win in set three.
- John Carroll finished with eight aces and a 44-31 advantage in kills.
FOR THE FOES
- Sarah Calabrese and Brooke Hjerpe led the way for the Blue Streaks with nine kills each.
- Ally Bartolone finished with a team-high 17 assists.
MATCH 2 BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Houghton def. Buffalo State, 3-1 (18-25, 25-21, 25-19, 26-24)
LOCATION: Sports Arena – Buffalo, N.Y.
RECORDS: Houghton (7-2), Buffalo State (3-7)
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Eimile O'Brien (Marietta/Marcellus) finished with a season-high 17 kills to lead the Bengals in today's later game.
- Fisher added 10 kills and a pair of blocks, while Federko added 36 kills.
- After a back-and-forth opening to the first set, Buffalo State closed the frame on a 13-3 run to claim the first set 25-18.
- Houghton responded by closing the second frame on a 3-0 run to win the set 25-21, and by using a 9-0 run to claim the third set 25-19.
- The Bengals and the Highlanders matched each other point-for-point in the fourth set until an attacking error by Houghton gave Buffalo State a 24-23 lead.
- Houghton closed the game with three-consecutive points to complete the comeback, winning the fourth set 26-24.
FOR THE FOES
- Ally Bittinger and Brooke Lewandowski led the Highlanders with 13 kills and 10 kills respectively.
- Haley Unverdorben finished with a game-high 41 assists.
NOTEWORTHY
- St. John Fisher was named champion of the Bengal Challenge by posting a 3-0 record with nine set wins and only one set loss.
- The All-Tournament team: Bryanna Fisher (Buffalo State), Sarah Lazor (Cazenovia), Haley Unverdorben (Houghton), Cassi Calamunci (John Carroll), Lindsay Howell (Medaille) and Rebecca Hay (St. John Fisher)
UP NEXT
Buffalo State hosts "Battle by the Lake" rival Fredonia on Tuesday, Sept. 17 at 6 p.m.