ALFRED, NY – The Alfred University women's volleyball team ended its Empire 8 schedule on Saturday evening in the Terry S. Galanis Family Arena, falling to Stevens and St. John Fisher.
 
The Saxons (11-16, 3-5 Empire 8) managed to fight back after a first set 21-25 defeat to Fisher with a 25-20 second set win, but were unable to close out the third and fourth sets, falling 23-25 and 22-25. The Saxons dropped a 3-0 decision to Stevens, being ousted 16-25, 12-25 and 21-25. Stevens, just like Ithaca College earlier in the season, were receiving votes for national rankings prior to Saturday's match.
 
Junior captain Heather D'Andrea (Erie, PA/Mercyhurst Prep) led the Saxons in the late game, having played back-to-back matches, with 17 kills off of 48 total attacks for a match-high .354 hitting percentage. She also had one ace for a total of 18.0 points. D'Andrea also got under 17 attacks for digs and added one assist.
 
D'Andrea also led the Saxons in the first match with 8.0 points from six kills and two aces.
 
Junior setter Aubrey Totsline (Fairport, NY/Fairport) added yet another 40 or more set assist outing under her season resume with exactly 40. She added seven digs. This was her eighth match this season with 40 or more digs and her tenth match with more than 20 in a row, having had 22 against Stevens.
 
First year Amber Smith (Penfield, NY/Webster Schroeder) finished with 13 kills, a solo block and two assisted blocks for 15.0 points as she was second on the team in scoring. Senior captain Mary Lou Patnaude (Burnt Hills, NY/Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake) followed with 10.0 points from seven kills, two aces and two block assists.
 
Smith and sophomore libero Elisabeth Estep (Horseheads, NY/Horseheads) both had 20 digs to lead Alfred University. First year Leslye Rosario (Port Jefferson, NY/Earl L. Vandermeulen) had the only other solo block in the Fisher match and added two block assists and one kill.
 
Patnaude and fellow senior Valerie Cardillo (Webster, NY/Webster Schroeder) were honored in pre-match ceremonies, prior to the Fisher match.
 
The Saxons will next close out their remarkable season with a non-conference tri-match on Saturday, October 29 at 11:00 am against Oswego State and 3:30 pm against SUNY Poly. The two opponents will face each other at the 1:30 pm match in the Galanis Arena.