Beverly, MA – The SUNY Canton women's volleyball team fought to the brink but dropped a pair of matches on Saturday in the opening day of the Endicott Tournament. The Roos fell 3-2 (30-28, 27-29, 21-25, 25-16, 8-15) to UMass Boston before dropping a 3-1 decision to New York University.

The Roos (3-2) played an extremely thrilling match in their opener on Friday going to five sets with UMass Boston, who was ranked 22nd nationally in last week's American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) poll. SUNY Canton pulled out a 30-28 first set that went to extra points. The Beacons battled back, 29-27, as the second frame also required extra play. UMass Boston took a tight third set, 25-21 before SUNY Canton responded with a decisive 25-16 fourth set win to force a fifth set. The Beacons were able to outlast the Roos in the finale, 15-8.

Morgan Bills (Walworth, NY) paced the Roos with nine kills hitting .304. Mackenzie Mynter (Churchville, NY) added 26 assists to go with 13 digs and five kills. Kelsy Cornish (Honeoye, NY), Jessica Reynolds (Oakville, ON) and Caitlin Grimshaw (Adams, NY) added seven kills apiece. Reynolds also chipped in 13 digs and Robyn Carroll (Bowmanville, ON) dug up a team-high 21 balls. Bills added three solo blocks, while Carroll pinpointed three aces.

In its second match of the day the Roos hung tough but ultimately fell in four sets to NYU, who was receiving votes in the AVCA Top 25 Preseason Poll. After dropping the first two sets SUNY Canton earned a dominating 25-15 third set victory. Unfortunately the Roos were unable to complete the comeback falling, 25-20 in the fourth frame.

The women's volleyball team is back in action on Saturday in the Endicott Invitational when it squares off with Plymouth State University at 10:00 a.m. and Roger Williams University at 2:00 p.m.