Montclair State University Athletics

Oneonta, NY – The Montclair State University volleyball team (2-0) kicked off its weekend at SUNY Oneonta in the Red Dragon Invitational with a 3-1 win over Rochester (0-1) on Friday afternoon.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Yellowjackets jumped out to a 3-1 edge early before a service error and a service ace from ALEENA WHITEHEAD tied the matchup. Rochester swung the momentum back in its favor, scoring six of the next seven points for a 9-4 lead. BRYN BAUTISTA put down two kills, and ERIN SAUNDERS had an ace to help Montclair get back in front, but Rochester kept them at bay. The Yellowjackets' best run was a 7-1 run that came at a 13-8 score and put them out in front 18-9. Five unanswered points from Montclair cut the lead, but Rochester never let them back into the set and sealed a 25-17 victory.
• Montclair had the early advantage in the second, jumping out to a 7-2 start led by a pair of kills from AVA FIELDER. The Yellowjackets rallied with five unanswered points to tie the set at 7-7. With the match tied 13-13 surged ahead with seven unanswered points, led by a pair of kills from SOFIA DIPROFIO. Despite a strong comeback effort from Rochester, who rallied to just three points after facing a 22-14 deficit, Montclair won set two thanks to a service error for a 25-21 win and tied the match, 1-1.
• The Red Hawks once again used a 7-2 lead to get ahead of the set. KASEY TRZASKA spotlighted with two service aces in that run. With a 9-5 lead, Montclair used a 10-3 run to take a 19-8 edge. Following a pair of Yellowjacket points, the Red Hawks countered with five straight points that included kills from Bautista, Fielder and LEAH ROBLES, as well as a service ace from ERIN SAUNDERS. Rochester scored five in a row before a service error gave Montclair a 25-15 set-three win and a chance to seal the match in the fourth.
• Montclair went ahead 6-3 in the fourth before a Rochester rally put them up 10-7. A kill from Bautista, a ball-handling error, and a service ace by LUCY CORNELIUS nodded the contest at 10 apiece. Following a Yellowjacket kill, the Red Hawks rattled off seven of the next eight to take a 17-12 advantage. DiProfio led with three kills during the run. Four unanswered Rochester points ensued by three from Montclair to put the score at 20-16 Red Hawks. Both teams traded blows down the stretch to a 24-21 Montclair lead. Fielder buried the final kill to secure a 25-21 set-four win and clinched the match for Montclair.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Fielder followed her eight-kill showing against Manhattanville with a team leading 11.
• Bautista had a well-rounded performance, tallying five kills, eight digs, and two service aces.
• DiProfio finished with seven kills and two blocks.

FROM THE COURT

• Quote to be added.

UP NEXT

• Montclair sees a quick turnaround with a 5:00 p.m. matchup against Paul Smith's following the conclusion of their matchup with Rochester.