The SUNY Oneonta volleyball team took its first two games in the season opening Oneonta Invitational. The Red Dragons dropped Hartwick in their first match 3-1 (25-19; 25-22; 18-25; 25-24) and Mt. St. Mary 3-1 (25-14; 23-25; 25-10; 25-18).

Kristen Polan (Westhampton/Westhampton Beach) led the attack against Hartwick registering a dozen kills on 21 attempts. Paige Carpluk (Yaphank/Bellport) was the most active Red Dragon making 26 total attempts on the attack. The junior was active on the defensive side as well blocking a trio of shots up front.

Jessica Pelaccio (Verplanck/Hendrick Hudson) (65 attempts) and Karly Greco (East Patchogue/Bellport) (44 attempts) dished out 21 and 18 assists, respectively. On the service line, Pelaccio recorded 18 attempts to lead all Red Dragons.  

In the deciding set, The Red and White used poise and composure, using a 6-0 run to give them a 21-19 lead they would not relinquish.

The Dragons used a series of run to take down Mt. St. Mary in the first set of the second match. After receiving the first serve, the Red and White went on a 6-0 run fueled by the service of freshman Sara Feldman (Smithtown/Smithtown East). Following a quick 4-0 spurt by the Knights, Oneonta used an 8-2 and 13-7 run to take the 1-0 match lead.

Game two would not go as well, as the Knights took the see-saw contest by a slim 23-25 margin. The Red and White got back to the run game in the third set putting on a show to the beat of a 13-0 spurt to open an 18-5 lead, before sealing the contest with a 7-0 run sparked by the serving of Whitney Blair (Binghamton/Windsor).

The deciding set was a back and forth affair with neither team gaining the upperhand until the Red Dragons finished their night off with a 25-18 victory.

In the second day of the Oneonta Invitational, The Red and White take on Curry College at 10:00 a.m. and Lehman College at 2:00 p.m.