The SUNY Oneonta volleyball hosted its annual Dink Pink Invitational this weekend and, after dropping its first two matches to Ramapo and Ithaca, they would defeat Elmira in three sets to go 1-2 on the weekend. The Red Dragons were led by All-Tournament team selection Kristen Polan (Westhampton/Westhampton Beach), who had 21 points on a team high 15 blocks. Jill Darpino (Endicott/Union Endicott) had 25 kills and Karly Greco (East Patchogue/Bellport) had 35 assists for the Red Dragons. 
 
Ramapo
Oneonta jumped out of the gate, with an early 2-0 lead. Then the Ramapo Roadrunners answered back with 2 points, to tie the set. Ramapo continued to push and added a few additional points to take the lead 7-5, the first of many times the two teams exchanged leads.   Oneonta then pressured the Roadrunners, chalked up a four point run, and retook lead at 9-7.  Ramapo would answer back to tie the game 9-9. After much give and take Ramapo had an 18-15 lead.  Oneonta called a timeout, then sent the ball long, 19-15 Ramapo.  Oneonta rallied to close the gap to 20-19 but Ramapo would pull away again 24-20. The Red Dragons fell short, losing 25-21.

In the second set Oneonta posted 2-0 lead again, and mirroring the first set Ramapo would answer with two points to tie. Oneonta lagged behind 7-5, but on the serve of Melissa Voyer (Baldwinsville/C.W. Baker), Oneonta would go on a three point romp to make the score 8-7. After a long volley, Oneonta pushed the ball long, 10-8 Ramapo. Ramapo continued pick up the pace, and built on their lead 14-10. Oneonta, breaking out of a timeout, put three straight points on the scoreboard to close the gap 14-13 Ramapo. Ramapo added to their tally 20-16. Although the Red Dragons would mount a comeback, to close the gap 21-20, Ramapo would capitalize on Oneonta mistakes and take the lead 23-20. Oneonta calls a timeout to regroup but Ramapo's lead was too great and the Roadrunners held on to win 25-22.

In the third set Oneonta had a strong lead, lead 9-6; timeout Ramapo.  Ramapo closes the gap and knotted up the set at 10-10. Oneonta surged ahead 12-10. Following which Allyson Coniglione (Glenville/Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake) with a service ace to put Oneonta up 16-12, time-out Ramapo.  Oneonta rallied their way to 22-13 from the service of Erin Avery (Harpursville/Harpursville). Ramapo came back to 24-19, but a long serve by Ramapo would end the set 25-19 Oneonta.

Ithaca
Ithaca College started strong taking a 0-4 lead over the Red Dragons. Oneonta would recover for two points but Ithaca's offense continued solid play log a score of 2-8. Oneonta bounced back with help of solo block by Polan, and closed the gap 14-8. Oneonta set a hard push in motion and brought get the score within four points 16-12, Ithaca would call a timeout to stop momentum. A block by Polan and Hannah O'Neil (Brookhaven/Bellport) kept Oneonta within striking distance as they would mount their comeback. Oneonta went on to tie the set at 21 and take the lead 22-21 but Ithaca would answer with four end-of-game points to take the first match 25-22.  

In set two Oneonta took early lead 3-2 thanks to a solo block by Darpino. The Ithaca Bombers instituted a long rally and took the lead 10-5.Oneonta answered back with a five point run to close the gap to 12-10. The Red Dragons cut the lead to 21-17 but Ithaca would pull away to win 25-19.

The last set began close, but Ithaca would start to pull away 8-5. Oneonta shot back to tie the game at 8-8 and Oneonta with their next point took their first lead (9-8) of the set. Ithaca battled back to the lead 10-13. The Bombers would push forward and ultimately win the set, 25-19.  

Elmira
The Oneonta Red Dragons would bounce back and take down Elmira College in three sets. The Red Dragons clipped the Elmira Eagles' wings and handily took the first set 25-16. Oneonta would jump out ahead of the Soaring Eagles 11-4 and would continue to dominate the front of the net, strongly patrolled by Polans' blocking expertise.  In the second set Oneonta would pick up where they left off and continue to own the net. This would help the Red Dragons take down Elmira 25-14. In the final set, Oneonta would engage in a battle with Elmira. There would be multiple lead changes and with the Red Dragons trailing 24-19 Kassidy Kievet's serves would help the Red Dragons go on a six point run to post a 26-24 win.