Plattsburgh, NY—The Sage Colleges' women's volleyball team opened the 2018 season on Friday competing at the two-day Best Western Cardinal Tournament at Plattsburgh State. Sage dropped the opener, 3-1 to Plymouth State (25-23,25-17,22-25,25-17) and then fell to SUNY-Canton, 3-0 (25-16, 25-22, 25-16). The Gators will return to action on Saturday taking on Plattsburgh State at 1 p.m. and Mt. St. Mary College at 3 p.m.

Against Plymouth State, sophomore outside hitter Gabby Rowell (Morrisonville, NY/Beekmantown) added 16 points with 13 kills, two aces, and 16 digs. Junior outside hitter Megan Ryder (Broadalbin, NY/Broadalbin-Perth) added five kills with two aces and eight digs.

Junior middle hitter Skylar Van Alstyne (Castleton, NY/Maple Hill) added seven kills, while junior Lidia LoPorto (Troy, NY/Averill Park) picked up 17 digs with an ace.  Sophomore setter Brooke Monty (Copake, NY/Taconic Hills) had eight setting assists, while sophomore Renee Martin (Troy, NY/Troy) picked up five kills with two aces and eight digs.

Against the Kangaroos of SUNY-Canton, Sage was led by the efforts of Van Alstyne as she had four kills. Rookie outside hitter Emma Parkington (Dalton, MA/Wahconah Regional) added four kills with two aces and five digs. Senior outside hitter Amelia Taylor (Fort Edward, NY/Fort Edward) added two kills, while Ryder had seven digs with an ace.