WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL NOTCHES FIRST WIN IN 45TH ANNUAL ONEONTA STATE INVITATIONAL

ONEONTA, N.Y. – Freshman outside hitter CassieChruscielski (Duluth, Minn.) registered a match-high 12 kills to lead Emmanuel College past Hartwick College, 3-1 (25-22, 20-25, 25-17, 25-16), during Day 2 action of the 45^th Annual Oneonta State Invitational.

The Saints jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the match despite Hartwick's impressive .357 hitting percentage. The Hawks were able to even things up with another impressive hitting showing in the second set, swinging at a .371 clip to make it 1-1. Emmanuel would then hold the visitors to a dismal .100 hitting percentage in the third set to take a 2-1 lead in the match before rolling to the victory with a commanding 25-16 win in the decisive set.

Sophomore middle hitter Brittany Tutalo (Johnston, R.I.) added 10 kills for EC while sophomore setter Shannon Dudley (Morro Bay, Calif.) dished out 31 assists in the win. Rookie defensive specialist Mellyn Costello (East Bridgewater, Mass.) posted an impressive 22 digs in the win.

In the other match during the second day of play, EC dropped a 3-0 (18-25, 24-26, 21-25) decision to Saint Lawrence University despite an 11 kill outing from Chruscielski. Costello also posted another double-digit dig performance with 11 in the loss.

Day one action was just as rough for the Saints who fell in their opening match to the hosts, SUNY Oneonta, 3-0 (19-25, 22-25, 19-25). In their second match they battled SUNY Potsdam to a five-set thriller but ultimately fell 3-2 (13-25, 25-23, 15-25, 25-22, 13-15). Chruscielski and Tutalo were both in double figures for kills, notching 11 and 10, respectively. Junior defensive specialist Cara Callahan (Medway, Mass.) registered 22 digs in the loss.

The Saints return to action on Wednesday, Oct. 4 when they host Western Connecticut State at 7:00 PM in their 2013 home-opener as Head Coach Denitra Seals will go for her 100^th career coaching victory.

All-Tournament Team