Stellar Streak Continues: Lakers Secure Two Decisive Sweeps
ROCHESTER, N.Y. - The #12 nationally ranked Finger Lakes Community College women's volleyball team extended their dominant regular season run with a pair of sweeps over Monroe and Onondaga Community College(s), improving their regular season record to 16-1. With the wins, the Lakers also extended their win streak to 10 and swept their 9th straight opponent.
Lakers vs. Monroe Community College
Freshman Kiane Wells (Webster, N.Y./ Webster Thomas) was a standout, leading the team offensively with 8 kills from 17 total attempts. Not far behind, Brooke DeGroff (Castile, N.Y./ Letchworth) displayed her prowess on the court, tallying 7 kills and contributing 3 service aces. Freshman Bridget Miller (Seneca Falls, N.Y./ Mynderse) who has remained a key figure on the Lakers attack delivered 6 kills and supported the defense with 10 digs. Miller continued to add to her stat line, with an assist and service ace to cap off the match.
Freshman Jordan Winton (Sherburne, N.Y./ Sherburne-Earlville) did not go unnoticed, registering 6 kills against the Tribunes, while being instrumental at the net with a solo block and 2 block assists. Teammates Karynn Price (Geneva, N.Y./ Geneva) and Lauren George (Canandaigua, N.Y./ Canandaigua) added firepower to the team's offense with 3 and 2 kills respectively, with Price showing efficiency with a .375 hitting percentage.
On the setting front, Payton Stoddard (Bloomfield, N.Y./ Bloomfield) directed the offense with an impressive 21 assists, while also chipping in 4 service aces. Stoddard was complemented by Michelina Williams (Fairport, N.Y./ Fairport) who not only provided 3 service aces but was a force in the back row, adding 19 digs; the second-highest total for the freshman libero this season.
Lakers vs. Onondaga Community College
The Lakers continued their impressive run, with a dominant 3-0 over the Lazers. Freshman Leah Williams (Olean, N.Y./ Olean) led the charge offensively, registering 9 kills. Teammates Jordan Winton and Kiane Wells each contributed 6 kills, with Winton showcasing her prowess at the net, having a solo block and a block assist in another strong defensive match. Sophomore Brooke DeGroff shined, adding 6 kills to wrap up her afternoon.
Freshman Payton Stoddard remained instrumental in orchestrating the offense, dishing out 24 assists. Stoddard showcases her versatility, adding a kill, service ace, and 7 digs to her total. Teammate Michelina Williams remained a ball hawk on defense, amassing a game-high 17 digs to keep the rallies alive for the Lakers. Williams would also chip in with a kill and 2 service aces. Sophomore Kierstin Comerford (Geneva, N.Y./ Geneva) had a notable performance at the service line in game 2 with 4 aces.
Just four matches remain down the regular season stretch for the team, first, a pair of matches with Mid-State Athletic Conference opponents SUNY Broome on Tuesday, October 10th at 6 PM and Genesee Community College on Thursday, October 12th at 6 PM. The Lakers will then travel to Genesee Community College for a rematch with the Cougars on Saturday, October 14th at 9 AM, followed by a rematch with the 2022 NJCAA Region III, Division B runner-ups in Jamestown Community College.
After a hiatus, the Mid-State Athletic Conference tournament is back and the Lakers will look to claim the title, having held strong in conference play thus far. With a win over SUNY Broome and a pair of wins over Genesee, the Lakers will punch their ticket as the #1 seed heading into the tournament which will be held Saturday, October 21st at a time to be determined.