The SUNY Oneonta women's volleyball team opened the Skidmore Invitational Tournament with a 3-0 victory over New Rochelle College on Friday evening. The win moves the Red Dragons record to 7-10 on the year.

Gillian Stieglitz (Montrose/Hendrick Hudson) paced Oneonta with 11 kills and a .476 hitting percentage. Adriana Losier (Fishkill/John Jay) and Clara Culeton (Oswego/Oswego) combined for 15 kills while Jessica Fowler (Burnt Hills/Burnt Hills) dished out 28 assists. The Red Dragons converted nine service aces as a team, with seven coming in the first set.

"Our team did a fantastic job staying consistent tonight. From the very first point, we established ourselves from the service line and converted with Authority", said Head Coach Ashley Coyle.

In the first set, Oneonta led from the opening serve as they jumped out to a 4-0 lead. After New Rochelle cut the deficit to 4-3, Oneonta went on a 6-0 run with Lindsay Pelaccio (Verplanck/Hendrick Hudson) at the service. The Red Dragons would take the first set 25-12.

In the second set, New Rochelle took an early 3-0 lead before the Red Dragons went on a 6-0 run. With Oneonta clinging to a 12-10 lead a Clara Culeton (Oswego/Oswego) kill propelled Oneonta on 4-0 run. New Rochelle would pull within striking distance one more time when they cut their deficit to 17-14, but a Gillian Stieglitz (Montrose/Hendrick Hudson) kill put the Red Dragons in front for good.

After an opening service error by Oneonta to start the third set, the Red Dragons went on a 6-0 run and never looked back as they took the third set 25-20.  

"I am proud of the way we controlled the match and continued to take swings and big rallies. We must use the momentum of tonight's win to spark our fire for tomorrow's competition", added Coyle.

The Red Dragons get back on the court tomorrow morning when they play Skidmore College at 11:00 a.m. Oneonta will wrap up the Skidmore Invitational against Roger Williams University at 1:00 p.m.