Elmira, NY-- The Golden Eagles of Elmira College tallied a 3-1 win over The Sage Colleges' in the ECAC Division III Quarterfinals on Wednesday night. The Golden Eagles will advance to the semifinals on November 10 in the eight-team tournament and bring with them a 22-12 record. Sage's season ends with a 20-13 mark.
Elmira took the first two sets (25-14, 25-14) and the Gators rebounded taking the third set, 25-16. In the final set, Elmira wrapped up the victory with a 25-21 score in a hard-fought contest.
Sage's sophomore hitter Helen Putriment (Troy, NY/Cobleskill-Richmondville) had a double-double in the match as she racked up 11 kills with 20 digs. She finishes her sophomore season with 309 kills, while adding 416 digs. On her career, she moved into sole possession of the No. 7 spot for career kills as she has 686, moving past Kellie Jones (675, 2006-2009).
Junior setter Joanie Cooney (Ballston Lake, NY/Shenendehowa) tallied 24 setting assists in the action with an aces and three kills and 10 digs. On the season, she had 75 kills with 308 digs. She led the team with her 952 setting assists, which is a personal-best for the junior. Overall on her career, her resume includes 208 kills, 780 digs, 103 aces and 2,403 setting assists. A team co-captain this fall, she is second on Sage's career setting assist list with her numbers, while her 7.24 assists per game average in No. 3 on the career list.
Rookie Mickey Mango (Saratoga Springs, NY/Saratoga) picked up five kills with a dig and a pair of blocks for the Gators. She concludes her first season with 167 kills and 45 digs. She also led the Gators with her 60 blocks, including 32 solo blocks.
The one-two punch that is rookie twin sisters, Kelsey Ray (Horseheads, NY/Horseheads) and Kera Ray (Horseheads, NY/Horseheads) had opponents seeing double as well. Kelsey had two kills with a pair of aces and three digs, while finishing with three total blocks. On the season, she had 163 kills with 29 aces and 122 digs. Kera had six kills and seven digs in the ECAC match and handed out a pair of setting assist to elevate her first season numbers to include 95 kills with 34 aces and 140 digs.
Sophomore libero and 2012 Gator co-captain, Katelyn Drollette (Cadyville, NY/Saranac) had 19 digs in the match. She wraps the season with a team-best 450 digs and now has 604 career digs. She had 36 aces this fall and has elevated her career resume to include 69 aces.
Another Gator newcomer, Morgan Robinson (Ballston Lake, NY/Shenendehowa) picked up four kills with five digs in the contest. She had two aces in the match as well, giving her has 174 kills with 167 digs and 17 blocks.
