POTSDAM, N.Y.—The SUNY Potsdam volleyball team (12-12, 4-2 SUNYAC) lost a 3-2 heartbreaker to Plattsburgh State (11-12, 4-2) and a 3-0 decision to Fredonia State (17-8, 4-2) on the second day of SUNYAC Pool Play at Maxcy Hall. The Bears are now tied for third place with both the Cardinals and the Blue Devils.

In the early match against Plattsburgh, the teams slugged it out, trading point for point. Potsdam won the opening set 25-21, before the Cardinals answered with a 25-19 victory in the second. The Bears pushed Plattsburgh to the brink with a 25-20 third set win, but fell into deep holes in sets four and five. The Cardinals captured the final two games 25-18 and 15-7.

On Senior Day, senior setter/right side Jenna Blujus (Baldwinsville, N.Y.C.W. Baker) paced Potsdam once again with 13 kills, 24 assists and 23 digs. Senior outside hitter Dakota Pruiss (Wallkill, N.Y./Wallkill) and junior outside hitter Liza Fields (Duanesburg, N.Y./Duanesburg) contributed 10 kills each and Fields added 11 digs. Senior setter Lauren Manzo (Clovis, Calif./San Joaquin) had 23 assists and seven digs and senior middle hitter Sara Anderson (Lake George, N.Y./Lake George) finished with nine kills. Junior libero Gabby Arana (Williston Park, N.Y./Herricks) had a game-high 31 digs.

Grad student outside hitter Rosi Cummings (Plattsburgh, N.Y./Beekmantown) had a game-high 18 kills along with 17 digs to lead the Cardinals. Sophomore middle hitter Laura Diehl (Manorville, N.Y./Eastport) notched 14 kills for Plattsburgh.

Before the day's finale, seniors Blujus, Manzo, Anderson and Pruiss were honored for their success over the years at Potsdam. When the contest got underway, the Bears battled the Blue Devils down to the wire in three straight sets, but came up just short in 25-20, 25-22 and 25-22 decisions.

Pruiss led Potsdam with eight kills and four digs. Blujus and Fields chipped in seven kills apiece. Blujus also had 10 more assists and 12 digs and Fields totaled 13 digs. Manzo compiled a team-high 16 assists and Arana posted 18 more digs.

Fredonia sophomore Paulina Rein (Baldwinsville, N.Y./C.W. Baker) finished with a game-high 12 kills and sophomore setter Kelly Edinger (Rochester, N.Y./Greece Athena) had a contest-best 28 assists. Sophomore libero Lauren Hokaj (Lancaster, N.Y./St. Mary's) rounded out the Blue Devils' leaders with 13 digs.

The Bears are off until Friday, Oct. 25, when they head to Buffalo State for the final pool play weekend, looking to clinch a playoff spot. Potsdam will face the host Bengals at 7 p.m. on Friday. On Saturday, the Bears will battle SUNY New Paltz at 12:30 and Brockport at 3 p.m.