ROCHESTER, NY – The Alfred University women's volleyball team dropped both of its matches on the opening day at the Rochester Institute of Technology tournament to the host RIT and Buffalo State in three sets Friday afternoon and evening.

The Saxons (1-9, 0-0 Empire 8) fell to RIT 11-25, 10-25 and 16-25 to the Tigers while losing to the Bengals 23-25, 13-25 and 18-25 in the later match.

Mary Lou Patnaude (Burnt Hills, NY/Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake) and Jacquelynn Hicks (Greenville, NY/Greenville) each had three points in the opening match. Hicks finished three attacks for kills while Patnaude struck the court twice and added a service ace. Her ace was the only one for the Saxons in those three sets.

Patnaude also added team-second bests in digs with seven and set assists with three. Aubrey Totsline (Fairport, NY/Fairport) had eight assists while Elisabeth Estep (Horseheads, NY/Horseheads) got under for eight digs.

Hicks added another three kills and four block assists in the match against Buffalo State. Brianna Dudick (Somers, NY/Somers) had three kills of her own and added an assisted block and a dig in the match as well. Heather D'Andrea (Erie, PA/Mercyhurst Prep) also had three kills in the match and three digs.

Totsline assisted on 11 kills while Estep added 11 digs to round out the day against the Bengals.

The Saxons will next round out the tournament with matches against Brockport and Geneseo on Saturday morning at 10:00 am and 2:00 pm, respectively.