Lakers Split Games in NJCAA National Tournament

ROCHESTER, M.N. – The Finger Lakes Community College Women's Volleyball team competed in the first round of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA), Division III, Volleyball National Championship. The Lakers battled against the Lions of Raritan Valley Community College on Thursday, November 11^th. 

The team pulled out the win in dominant fashion, as the #10 Lakers completed the upset over the #7 Lions. The Lakers were firing on all cylinders in their first match, winning 25-12. The Lions fought back in the second set, winning 25-21. However, the Lakers went on to win the next two sets, 25-18 and 25-15 to advance to the NJCAA, DIII, Quarterfinals.

Lakers Sophomore Brandy Morrison (Macedon, N.Y./ Palmyra-Macedon) led the way for the Lakers, punching in 21 kills, 2 digs, 1 assist, 1 block solo and 2 block assists. Freshman Emma Sipos (Canandaigua, N.Y./ Canandaigua) added 10 kills, 15 digs, 4 aces and 2 block assists.

Freshman Oona O'Brien (Canandaigua, N.Y./ Canandaigua) played a key role for the Lakers in the match and added 12 kills, 4 digs and 1 block assist. Freshman Jenna Wallace (Baldwinsville, N.Y./ Baldwinsville) helped set up her teammates, adding 41 assists as well as contributing 3 kills, 8 digs and 4 aces.

The Lakers win advanced them to the NJCAA, DIII, National Championship Quarterfinals. However, the team was faced with a tall task,going against the two-time defending National Champions, the Express of Owens Community College.

The Lakers struggled to keep pace against the Express. Owens Community College completed the sweep, defeating the Lakers 3 sets none, 25-12, 25-13 and 25-17.

Brandy Morrison led the Lakers in the match, adding 13 kills and 1 dig, while Oona O'Brien added 7 kills, 5 digs and 1 ace. In three sets, Jenna Wallace added 21 assists and 4 digs while Emma Sipos contributed 5 kills, 7 digs and 2 assists in the match.

Despite their loss, the team will now compete in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA), Division III, National Championship consolation bracket, with their first match coming against Butler County Community College out of Pennsylvania on Friday, November 13^th at 3 P.M.

The Lakers look to finish out their season, despite their National Championship aspirations gone. The Lakers run to make the tournament was remarkable and a historic feat for Finger Lakes Community College Women's Volleyball.