KEUKA PARK, NY – The Alfred University women's volleyball team dropped an extremely close three-set match on the road to Keuka College Wednesday evening, 13-25, 23-25, 22-25.
 
"We may have lost in three but that is by far the best we have played all season," said head coach Amanda Hubbard. "It is so exciting to see things fitting into place to really push through these final weeks of the season."
 
At one point during the second set, the Saxons (4-21, 0-6 Empire 8) had a commanding 21-15 lead over the Wolfpack (9-11, 7-0 NEAC). Keuka rallied for a 21-20 trailing score but then took a 22-21 lead off an ace from Alissa Walruth who served the entirety of the Wolfpack run.
 
Alfred responded with a two-point hop ahead of the hosts but Keuka would go on to capture the final three points of the second set, winning on an ace from Danielle Alred.
 
Junior outside hitter Brianna Dudick (Somers, NY/Somers) and freshman middle back Jacquelynn Hicks (Greenville, NY/Greenville) led the offense with five and four kills, respectively. Sophomore middle hitter Mary Lou Patnaude (Burnt Hills, NY/Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake) followed with three.
 
Freshman defensive specialist Heather D'Andrea (Erie, PA/Mercyhurst Prep) led the Purple and Gold with her play during both offensive and defensive action. "Heather was a huge part of building momentum in our match with her defense and her serving," said Hubbard. "Our blocking came to fruition and our middles, Jackie [Hicks] and Chelsea [Pietrzykowski] were a big part of that."
 
D'Andrea finished the evening with 11 digs, two aces, three block assists, one assist and one kill.
 
Freshman setter Aubrey Totsline (Rochester, NY/Fairport) put up 10 helpers on the evening and added 12 digs and three block assists. Senior libero Taylor Kiernan (Patchogue, NY/Patchogue-Medford) led the low game with 16 digs.
 
The Saxons will next take over a week off from competitive play before hosting Empire 8 foes Houghton and Hartwick Colleges during AU's Dig Pink Breast Cancer Awareness Day tri-match on Saturday, October 25. The Saxons will play the first and last match, starting at 11:00 am against Houghton and rounding off with Hartwick at 4:00 pm.