The SUNY Oneonta women's volleyball team closed out its 2013 season yesterday by winning the two-day, Dig Pink Invitational, which they hosted.  The Red Dragons went 4-0 over the weekend and finished the season at an even 18-18 overall.  Oneonta also will carry a five-match winning streak into the 2014 season as they were perfect over the final week of the season.

Highlighting the Invitational was three Red Dragons being named to the All-Tournament Team led by senior Erica Darpino (Endicott/Union-Endicott), who was selected as the Most Valuable Player of the event.  Joining Darpino were her sister, Jill Darpino (Endicott/Union Endicott) and junior Becca Horton (Owego/Owego Free Academy).

On the opening day of the tournament, Oneonta defeated both Bard College and Hunter College to qualify for the championship bracket.  The Red Dragons swept Bard (25-9, 25-7, 25-8) while defeating Hunter in four sets (25-22, 19-25, 25-13, 25-22).

In the match against Bard, senior Natalia Poljak (Brewster/Brewster) led the attack with eight kills.  Freshman Erin Avery (Harpursville/Harpursville) had five service aces and sophomore Kristen Polan (Westhampton/Westhampton Beach) had five blocks to lead Oneonta in those categories.

Against Hunter, three players registered 11 kills including the Darpino sisters along with freshman Paige Carpluk (Yaphank/Bellport).  Sophomore Karly Greco (East Patchogue/Bellport) had a team high 21 assists while senior Kristina Pelaccio (Verplanck/Hendrick Hudson) had a team best 14 digs.

Oneonta's first match on day 2 in the championship bracket was versus Ithaca, whom they had swept just a week ago at home.  Yesterday it would take four sets to dispose of the Bombers to set up the championship match with SUNYAC foe Plattsburgh.

The Darpino sisters came up huge against Ithaca, combining for 30 kills and eight blocks.  Horton had a team high 22 assists and six aces.

Against Plattsburgh, Oneonta had an opportunity to avenge a loss to the Cardinals from conference pool play.  The Red Dragons did just that, as they defeated Plattsburgh in four sets (25-11, 25-19, 11-25, 25-18).  Erica Darpino (Endicott/Union-Endicott) led Oneonta with 11 kills and four blocks in the match.  Senior Katie Sheehan (Bellmore/John F. Kennedy) recorded nine aces, which was the first time since 2009 that an Oneonta player had that many aces in one set.