Schenectady, NY--The Sage College's women's volleyball team was in action at the Union College Invitational. The Gators went 1-3 at the tournament. They opened with a 3-0 win over Utica (25-17, 25-12, 25-19), but fell to the No. 21 ranked Red Dragons of SUNY-Cortland on Friday evening. On Saturday Sage dropped a pair of tight contests on Saturday as they faced both Oswego State and Skidmore College. Oswego State was a 3-1 winner over Sage (25-23, 25-23, 22-25, 25-23). The Thoroughbreds collected a 3-0 win as they defeated the Gators, 25-17, 25-19, 25-19.

Sage is now 6-8 on the season and returns to action on September 20 hosting MCLA in the Kahl Center in a 7 p.m. non-conference match.

For the second time in two weeks, Gator rookie middle hitter Stacey Forte (Bay Shore, NY/Brentwood) earned All-Tournament Team honors as last week she was cited for her play at the Newbury College Invitational. Against Utica, Forte had 12 kills while freshman outside hitter, Emily DeChristopher (Richmondville, NY/Catskill-Richmondville) posted six kills.

Rookie outside hitter Helen Putriment (Troy, NY/Cobleskill-Richmondville) connected on seven kills while senior defensive specialist, Kelsey Wilson (Schenectady, NY/Notre Dame Bishop Gibbons) racked up 19 digs. with 13 digs. Sophomore setter Joanie Cooney (Ballston Lake, NY/Shenendehowa) added 29 setting assists in the contest.

For the Gators in the match-up with Cortland, Wilson had a team-best 21 digs, while Cooney handed out 30 setting assists. Putriment netted seven kills with eight digs, while freshman Jillian Scwab (Fayetteville, NY/Fayetteville-Manlius) had five kills.

Against Skidmore Forte had eight kills with four blocks. Putriment connected on seven kills with 13 digs and three block assists. Cooney added 20 setting assists with 11 digs in the match. Wilson added another 19 digs to her performance on the season

Against the Lakers of Oswego State, Sage was led by Putriment with a double-double on 15 kills and 15 digs while Wilson finished with 16 digs in the match. Schwab added 10 kills and Cooney had 14 digs with an impressive 42 setting assists.                                                    -30-