MARCY, N.Y. – The SUNYIT Women's Volleyball Team (24-2, 8-0 NEAC) experienced something on Tuesday night that they hadn't experienced since August 30th: a loss. The Continentals of Hamilton College braved a great SUNYIT home crowd to end the Wildcats incredible win streak, which was until Wednesday the longest active streak in the nation.
In the first set SUNYIT fed off the crowd's energy on their way to a 25-18 win, but the Continentals stormed back the rest of the way, winning the next three sets 25-23, 25-23, and 25-22 to take the match.
Emma Lonadier led all players with 15 kills on the night, while Courtney Somerville backed her up with 14.
"Their record might not be as good as other teams, but they're a very good team," said Coach Bluhm, "they're definitely one of the top teams we've played this year in terms of talent."
Hanne Saarinen (Lempaala, Finland / Tampereen Lyseon Lukio) led the Wildcats with 11 kills, and Morgan Eberley (Utica, N.Y. / Whitesboro) had an extremely efficient game with 9 kills on just 14 attempts while committing no errors (.643 hitting percentage).
"We weren't giving ourselves opportunities like we have in other matches this year, we were more scrambling than creating tonight" said Bluhm of the SUNYIT attack.
Each of the final three sets was close. In the third set SUNYIT was tied with the visitors 22-22, but the Continentals responded with back-to-back kills on their way to the 25-23 victory in the set.
Of course, the real highlight of the night was the over $1,200 that the "Dig Pink" event raised to benefit Breast Cancer Research and Awareness. The Wildcats will continue to accept donations through the Side Out Foundation through the month of October.
