Albany, NY—Sage's women's volleyball team hosted an Empire 8 tri-match on Saturday with Alfred University and St. John Fisher College. Alfred took the first match over Sage, 3-0 (25-18, 25-17, 28-26). In the Gators' nightcap, Sage won the first set over the Cardinals, but SJFC went on to record the 3-1 win (20-25, 25-12, 25-12, 25-10).  On the season, Sage is now 5-15 overall and 0-5 in the Empire 8.

Match # 1

In the first match, Alfred's junior outside hitter Amber Smith (Penfield, NY/Webster Schroeder) racked up 20 kills and had five digs with four total blocks with no receiving errors in 14 attempts. Senior defensive specialist Elisabeth Estep (Horseheads, NY/Horseheads) added 10 kills with a .320 attack percentage for the Saxons and had a double-double with 17 digs. Estep was also perfect with no receiving errors and had three aces. Junior Sarah Huzyk (North Chili, NY/Churchville-Chili) connected for 23 digs for Alfred.

Junior middle hitter Miranda Nethaway (Fonda, NY/Fonda Fultonville Central) and sophomore outside hitter Gabby Rowell (Morrisonville, NY/Beekmantown) each had five kills for the Gators, while rookie outside hitter Emma Parkington (Dalton, MA/Wahconah Regional) added four kills. Parkington had 10 setting assists with eight digs, while Nethaway added three block assists with two digs. Rowell finished the match with four digs and four total blocks.

Sage's junior outside hitter Megan Ryder (Broadalbin, NY/Broadalbin-Perth) added 15 digs with two kills and an ace.  Rookie Ani Crocker (Saratoga Springs, NY/Saratoga Central Catholic) had 10 digs, while freshman defensive specialist Kayla Weaver (Amsterdam, NY/Broadalbin-Perth) eight digs and was perfect with no receiving errors in 13 attempts.

Match #2

Rowell led the Gators with her seven kills and had five digs with a pair of block assists. Nethaway came up with seven kills as well and had a .227 attack percentage in the match, while adding four block assists with three digs.

Ryder led Sage with her 21 digs and added four aces in the match. Parkington had seven digs with two kills and one block assist for Sage, while junior Skylar Van Alstyne (Castleton, NY/Maple Hill) posted three kills, with an ace and a pair of digs for Sage.

Nethaway leads the Gators with her 59 total blocks this fall, elevating her career total to 153 and puts her tenth on the Gator career block list, just 10 behind the 163 total blocks by Joanne Augstein (2002-2003).

For St. John Fisher College, rookie outside hitter Alea Steigerwald (Penfield, NY/Penfield) added 16 kills with a .351 attack percentage. She also 16 digs with 13 aces and finished with 19.0 points. Sophomore middle blocker Bernadette Nichols (Cobleskill, NY/Cobleskill-Richmondville) added 14.5 points with 14 kills and two digs with a block assist.

The Gators will return to action on Wednesday, October 10 travelling to Stevens for a 6 p.m. Empire 8 match with the Ducks.