POTSDAM, N.Y.- SUNY Potsdam volleyball team (4-14, 0-4) hosted SUNYAC Pool Play in the Maxcy Hall Field House Friday night. The Bears battled with SUNY Oneonta (10-8, 2-2), but fell to the Red Dragons 3-1 on the first night of play. College at Brockport (18-1, 4-0) shutout SUNY Geneseo (9-11, 2-2), 3-0 and SUNY Cortland (9-13, 1-3) took down SUNY Fredonia (16-6, 2-2), 3-1.

The Bears came out strong to defeat the Red Dragons in the first set 25-21. Potsdam jumped out to a 4-0 lead in set two before Oneonta took seven straight points to take their first lead. The teams went back-and-forth during the set and got to a 15-15 tie. Potsdam got the next point, but the Red Dragons controlled thereafter to take set two, 25-19. The seesaw play looked to continue into the third set with the teams tying 9-9, but Oneonta picked up their game and increased their lead. The Bears hung in to score four straight point to get within two before the Red Dragons finished out the set to win 25-21. Oneonta then took the fourth and final set 25-11 to take the match.

Junior outside hitter Stephanie Maddox (Anaheim, Calif./Cornelia Connelly) led the Bears attack with nine kills and one ace, while sophomore Rachel Topf (Eagle River, Alaska/Chugiak) added seven and one ace. Junior libero Maddie Paquin (Queensbury, N.Y./Queensbury) contributed three aces for Potsdam and freshman setter Brianna Rodda (Holbrook, N.Y./Sachem East) had 23 assists. Paquin, Maddox and Rodda held tough for the defense with 25, 12 and 14 digs, respectively. Senior Allie Romaniello (Selden, N.Y./Newfield) and junior Sloane Campbell (Scotia, N.Y./Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake) each had 11 digs for Potsdam.

Senior outside hitter Jill Darpino (Endicott/Union Endicott) and senior setter Hannah O'Neil (Brookhaven/Bellport) led the offense for the Red Dragons with 10 and 11 kills. Senior setter Karly Greco (East Patchogue/Bellport) helped her teammates with 27 assists while junior setter Erin Avery (Harpursville/Harpursville) added 11. Senior libero Allyson Coniglione (Glensville/Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake) finished with 16 digs and Avery added 10 of her own for Oneonta and sophomore outside hitter Justine Abbate (Massapequa/Massapequa) had five kills and 11 digs.

The Golden Eagles took the Knights to three set with scores of 25-15, 25-23 and 25-23.

The Red Dragons of Cortland beat the Blue Devils in four sets, 25-21, 23-25, 25-15 and 25-16.

The Bears will be back tomorrow at Maxcy Field House for day two of pool play to battle College at Brockport at 10 a.m. and SUNY Cortland at 12:30 p.m.