POTSDAM, N.Y. (10/22/2010)(readMedia)-- The SUNY Potsdam volleyball team couldn't find momentum Friday afternoon, falling in consecutive matches at the State University of New York Athletic Conference East Division Pool Play event at Welsh Gymnasium.

The Bears fell in their opening match against Oneonta 3-0 (25-17, 25-20, 25-15).

Potsdam (6-21 overall, 1-5 SUNYAC) was defeated by Plattsburgh 3-0 (26-24, 25-21, 25-18) in its second match. The Bears held a 24-23 advantage in the first set, but the Cardinals (6-22, 1-5) rallied for three straight points. Potsdam surged to a 6-1 lead in the third but couldn't keep the energy going following a Plattsburgh

timeout.

Freshman Dakota Pruiss (Wallkill, N.Y.) led the Bears offensively with 10 kills.

Freshman Brittany Lapham (West Chazy, N.Y.) totaled 20 assists and 11 digs, while senior captain Erica Romaniello (Selden, N.Y.) posted a team-high 12 digs.

Against Oneonta (12-16, 3-2), Pruiss and freshman Annie Smith (Burke, N.Y.) paced the offense with six kills apiece. Romaniello finished with 13 digs.

Potsdam resumes action tomorrow against Cortland (10 a.m.) and New Paltz (2 p.m.). Each match will be video streamed live at www.maxdigital.ca/PotsdamBears.