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Bengals win three to clinch top seed
By Aaron Garland
On October 24, 2012
The Buffalo State women's volleyball team continued its season-long success over the weekend by
finishing off a perfect in-conference regular season to win the SUNYAC West division for the first time in
school history.
With a three-match sweep in the second round of SUNYAC pool play against host Fredonia, Oswego and
Brockport, the Bengals (22-7/6-0 SUNYAC) earned the right to host conference playoffs on Nov. 2-4, also
a first in Buffalo State history.
"It's probably one of the biggest honors that I think this program has ever seen," head coach Maria
DePeters said. "To break two records in one weekend is pretty awesome. In the beginning of the season
that was our ultimate goal, was to finish number one in SUNYACs, we could host (playoffs), and it's just
so great to actually see our goals be completed."
The Friday night match against Fredonia (16-13/4-2 SUNYAC) was crucial for both teams heading in. The
winner would control its own destiny in securing first place in the SUNYAC West, which subsequently
earns the right to host playoffs.
The Bengals dropped the first game, 19-25, but roared back to take the next three, 25-18, 25-20 and 25-
22 to capture the top seed in the West Division.
"We just totally picked up our level of play and we executed our game plan that we didn't do the first
set," DePeters said. "I think nerves always play into effect, especially in conference play. So the girls kind
of shook it off and we pushed forward the next three."
Junior Sarah Horvath and freshman Hannah Renaldo paced the Bengals with seven kills apiece. Junior
Kelsey Bashore had 25 assists on the night, while junior Chelsea Moore finished with 26 digs.
The first-place finish also ensures the Bengals a first-round bye into the SUNYAC semifinals, which
Bashore considers to be very advantageous.
"It's definitely a good opportunity because since we're hosting, it's really easy for us to just walk over
and watch the first couple games happen and see the team's that we're about to play and get a feel for
what we're going to be up against," Bashore said.
The Bengals carved this year's team into the school record books in fitting fashion Saturday. They
completed their first-ever perfect SUNYAC regular season with three-game sweeps over Oswego and
Brockport.
In the morning match, Buffalo State cruised to wins of 25-19, 25-17 and 25-15. Sophomore Sam Parente
led the offense with 11 kills, while Bashore had 27 assists to go along with a pair of aces. Freshman Kayla
Pyc proved versatile, finishing with six kills, two aces and two blocks.
Regular season conference play concluded in the late match with the Bengals making quick work of
Brockport, 25-15, 25-19 and 25-23. Pyc again had another strong game with eight kills, to go with fellow
freshman Jennifer Cecchettini's and senior Sherrell McLean's seven. Bashore added 26 assists and nine
digs.
With a few unfamiliar faces making big contributions to the win, DePeters was quite pleased with the
way some of the freshmen played.
"They did great, they played out of their minds, great team volleyball, so it's good to see," DePeters
said. "It's kind of a look into the future."
With the perfect regular season conference slate, the Bengals seem well prepared for a run at the
SUNYAC championship. Parente said she sees the program's landmark accomplishment as a validation of
what the team has been working toward.
"It's an amazing feeling. I feel like all our hard work has paid off and I'm so proud to be a part of this
team and I cannot wait to see how well (we) can do in SUNYAC playoffs," Parente said. "It's very
exciting."
The Bengals will get a final tune-up before playoffs at the Oberlin, Ohio tournament this weekend. They
will take on Oberlin at 11 a.m. and Ohio Wesleyan at 1 p.m. Saturday.
Aaron Garland can be reached by email at garland.record@live.com.
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