The SUNY Oneonta women's volleyball team was edged out tonight by the Ithaca College Bombers, 3-2 at the Dewar Arena. The Red Dragons were led by senior Jill Darpino (Endicott/Union Endicott) who had 18 kills. Classmates Erin Avery (Harpursville/Harpursville) (24) and Karly Greco (East Patchogue/Bellport) (23) combined for 47 assists for the Red Dragons.

Oneonta would take an early 4-2 lead in the first set, but Ithaca bounced back to tie the game up at 6-6. With the score at 11-10 (Ithaca), after a long volley the Bombers won the point, and took the momentum and the lead 10-12. Ithaca would go on to widen the gap to 11-14, and Oneonta called a timeout to stall Ithaca's momentum. Oneonta would come out of the timeout and play catch up, to trail by just one point, 14-13. The set would eventually become knotted up at 18-18. Ithaca would break the game open to 19-23. After a timeout Oneonta would again close the gap 21-23 forcing Ithaca to use a timeout. Oneonta came out of the Ithaca time and keep marching forward to tie the game at 23-23. The Bombers, however, would answer back, and go on to win the first set 26-24.

Oneonta went into the second set and jumped ahead, leading 5-3. The Red Dragons would build this lead to 11-5, then Ithaca called for a timeout. After the timeout there was a long volley ending with a solo block by senior Kristen Polan (Westhampton/Westhampton Beach) making the score 13-6. Oneonta kept growing their lead, and after another long volley Ithaca would push the ball long to make the score 18-9. Ithaca had the start a small rally, of four straight points, to make the score 18-13. Oneonta halted this run, and a service ace by Allyson Coniglione (Glenville/Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake) would help put the set out of reach. Sophomore Erika Corbin (Kirkwood/Windsor) had the game ending play as she pushed the ball past an Ithaca blocker that landed on the line, for the Oneonta win 25-20.

The third set was characterized with considerable battling back and forth, and lead changes. Oneonta took the helm late in the set, leading 21-19; then foraged ahead to win 25-22.

In the fourth set Ithaca had an answer to slow down Oneonta's two-win momentum.  The Bombers took an early 6-3 lead, capitalizing on Oneonta's miscues, and this would lead to an early Oneonta timeout. The Bombers expanded their lead to 10-5 and the Red Dragons battled back to tie the game at 23 apiece. However, Ithaca would close out the set and win 25-23.

In the final winner-take-all set, Ithaca jumped ahead early 4-2.  Oneonta would played catch-up for the entire set and were not able to put together a string of points. The match would end on a kill by Ithaca's Kyle Dandrea, which closed out the match 15-12.

The Red Dragons are going to New Paltz this weekend for the final weekend of SUNYAC pool play. On Friday, October 23^rd they will take on Plattsburgh at 5pm.