PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. - The SUNY Oneonta women's volleyball team earned a hard-fought five-set win over Plattsburgh State on Saturday morning, rallying to a 3-2 victory (18-25, 25-23, 25-22, 23-25, 15-12) at Memorial Hall Gymnasium.
With the victory, Oneonta improved to 6-10 overall and 2-0 in conference play. Plattsburgh fell to 11-10 overall and 2-1 in the conference.
The Red Dragons battled back after dropping the opening set, then took the next two to move within a set of victory. Plattsburgh responded to force a decisive fifth set, but Oneonta came through in the final frame to secure the win.
Senior Keira Welsh (Patchogue, NY/Patchogue-Medford) led the Red Dragons offensively with 18 kills, adding five digs. Senior Emma Morretta (Mahopac, NY/Mahopac) followed with 13 kills, hitting a team-best .289 and adding three digs and three blocks, including one solo block. Freshman Carsen Rittberger (Huntington, NY/Harborfields) added nine kills, while sophomore Lily Pugliese (Hopewell Junction, NY/John Jay) and junior Shea Landversicht (Greenville, NY/Greenville) each finished with seven kills.
Sophomore Layla Pertchik (Saratoga Springs, NY/Saratoga Springs) directed the Oneonta offense with 49 assists and added 17 digs. Senior Lillian Slattery (Queensbury, NY/Queensbury) led the defense with 25 digs, while Cadence Meltz (Highland, NY/Highland) added 18. Junior Abigail Harper (Burnt Hills, NY/Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake) recorded 13 digs, and senior Abby Stevens (Otisville, NY/Minisink Valley) added 15 digs and two service aces.
Oneonta finished with 56 kills and 106 digs. The Red Dragons also recorded four service aces and nine total blocks in the five-set contest.
The Red Dragons next host Morrisville on Friday, October 23, at 6 p.m.
