Lakers Conclude Trip to the COD Multi-State Invitational

GLEN ELLYN, I.L. - The Finger Lakes Community College women's volleyball team embarked on a trip to Glen Ellyn, Illinois this past weekend to participate in the College of DuPage Multi-State Invitational. The Lakers were joined by fellow National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region III opponent Genesee Community College at the event. The invitational boasted some of the most talented programs at the NJCAA Division III level.

Including the #7 Lakers, the invitational would see various top-ranked opponents go head-to-head in a battle of the nation's elite volleyball programs. Over the weekend the Lakers would face off against nationally ranked opponents including #4 College of DuPage, and #8 Harper College, The Lakers would also see strong competition from Madison College and Century College.

8/26 - vs. College of DuPage

The Lakers would drop their matchup against #4 DuPage, falling 3 sets to none. Freshman Sage Barnedo (Silver Springs, M.D./ Springbrook) would set her teammates up with 14 assists, to go along with 5 digs and 2 block assists. Teammate Megan Sanford (Savona, N.Y./ Campbell Savona) would add 3 kills, 1 dig, and 2 block assists to her tally.

Brooke DeGroff (Castile, N.Y./ Letchworth) would lead the Lakers in the game with 8 kills, 1 ace, and 9 digs. Sophomores Meghan Johnson (Phelps, N.Y./ Newark) and Kayla Fetcie (Victor, N.Y./ Victor) would each play all three sets of the matchup. Johnson would add 2 kills, 3 aces, and 2 digs, while Fetcie added 1 kill to her tally.

8/26 - vs. Harper College

The Lakers would struggle against the #8 Harper Hawks, falling 3 sets to none. Olivia Sheehan (Rochester, N.Y./ West Irondequoit) would put together an impressive game, adding 2 assists, 3 aces, and 14 digs to her total. Sage Barnedo would accumulate 16 assists, 3 aces, and 7 digs, while teammate Megan Sanford added 4 kills and 2 digs.

Kierstin Comerford (Geneva, N.Y./ Geneva) would play all three sets, adding 1 ace in the process. Teammate Kaidyn VanDelinder would impress on the day, accumulating 6 points with 6 kills. Freshman Brooke DeGroff would shine in the matchup, adding in 6 kills, 4 aces, and 10 digs; good for 10 points. Sophomore teammate Kayla Fetcie would follow with 5 kills and 4 digs, while Meghan Johnson would add in 2 kills and 4 digs on the day.

8/27 - vs. Madison College

The Lakers would fall just short against Madison College, battling back and forth in the matchup. The Wolfpack would just edge the Lakers in the 1st set, 19-15 before the team would battle back to take set number 2, 25-22. The Wolfpack would go on to take sets 3 and 4 to complete the 3-1 finish.

Brooke DeGroff would put together the most dominant performance of the season for the Lakers, adding in 20 kills, 21 digs, and 3 block assists in 4 sets played, good for 21.5 points. Sophomore Kayla Fetcie would impress with 7 kills, 2 aces, and 2 digs, while fellow Sophomore Meghan Johnson would add in 9 kills and 15 digs, good for 9.5 and 9 points for the Sophomores.

Kaidyn VanDelinder would add 1 kill, 1 assist, and 3 block assists, Kierstin Comerford would contribute 2 aces and 1 dig, while Megan Sanford would add 3 kills, 3 digs, and 1 block solo to her tally.

Olivia Sheehan would pick up 22 digs on the service, to go along with 2 assists, 1 ace, and 1 kill on the day. Sage Barnedo would continue to set up her teammates, adding 36 assists, 2 aces, and 10 digs.

8/27 - vs. Century College

The Lakers would face the Century College WoodDucks in their final game of the invitational. Despite a close matchup, the WoodDucks would come out on top 3 sets to none. 

Adriana Botello would pick up 1 kill and 6 digs in the game, while teammate Olivia Sheehan would add 14 digs in the matchup. Sage Barnedo would continue her contributions on the serve, adding 16 assists and 8 digs. 

Brooke DeGroff highlighted the Lakers' performances with 9 kills, 9 digs, and 1 block assist in the game. Freshman Megan Sanford would add 3 kills, while Kayla Fetcie would accumulate 1 kill, 1 ace, 3 digs, and 1 block assist. Sophomore Meghan Johnson contributed 2 kills, 1 ace, and 11 digs against the WoodDucks. 

The Lakers trip serves as a great experience against some of the top competitors in the nation. The Lakers will look to take that experience into their next matchup with their Mid-State Athletic Conference and NJCAA Region III opponent in the Onondaga Community College Lazers. The Lakers will continue their road trip, when they meet the Lazers at OCC on August 30th at 6 pm.