ONEONTA, NY – The Alfred University women's volleyball team picked up its first Empire 8 Athletic Conference win on Saturday during the Hartwick College Empire 8 Crossover where they defeated the hosts, 3-2 before falling to Houghton.
 
The Saxons (7-9, 1-1 Empire 8) claimed wins in the second, third and fifth sets to earn the 3-2 victory. The scores were 17-25, 25-11, 28-26, 20-25 and 15-9 in the match. AU earned the win in the first set against Houghton, 25-22 but exhaustion set in as the Highlanders earned the 3-1 win by claiming the next three sets with the Saxons dropping decisions of 15-25, 21-25 and 12-25.
 
In the early match, the Saxons were led by first year Amber Smith (Penfield, NY/Webster Schroeder) with her 19.0 points from 18 kills and two assisted blocks. The rookie added 12 digs and two set assists as well.
 
Three other Saxons hit double-digits in scoring along with Smith. Junior captain Heather D'Andrea (Erie, PA/Mercyhurst Prep) had 15.0 points from 13 kills and two aces while tacking on 11 digs and one assist. Senior captain Mary Lou Patnaude (Burnt Hills, NY/Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake) had 11.0 points from 10 kills and one aces while accumulating six digs and junior Jacquelynn Hicks (Greenville, NY/Greenville) had 10.5 points from eight kills, three assisted blocks and one solo while adding three assists and one dig.
 
Junior setter Aubrey Totsline (Fairport, NY/Fairport) led the match with 32 of the Saxons' 48 set assists and also had a match-high of four of the Saxons' 11 aces. She added an assisted block and seven digs. Totsline has recorded an ace in all but four matches this season.
 
Sophomore Elisabeth Estep (Horseheads, NY/Horseheads) also broke double-figures in digs with 11, joining D'Andrea's 11 and Smith's 12.
 
In the second match, Smith led the Saxons again in points with 12 kills for 12.0 points while D'Andrea had nine kills and two aces for 11.0 points. D'Andrea led Alfred University in digs with 16 while Estep had 13.
 
First year Leslye Rosario (Port Jefferson, NY/Earl L. Vandermeulen) had a team-high three assisted blocks and Totsline led the Saxons with 15 set assists while Rosario followed with seven.
 
The Saxons will next continue their Empire 8 match play when they have their home-opener on Tuesday, September 27. The guests will be the Bombers of Ithaca College for the 7:00 pm match start at the Terry S. Galanis Family Arena.