CORTLAND, NY – The Alfred University women's volleyball team dropped both of its first two matches in three sets on Friday evening at SUNY Cortland, falling to the host 0-3 and Coast Guard Academy 0-3.

The Saxons (0-2) had two close sets in the second match when they fell to the Coast Guard Academy with the first and second set scores being 20-25 and 22-25 before giving up a 16-25 third set decision. The closest the Saxons came to a set win in the first match was the third set against the host Dragons, 14-25.

Sophomore Amber Smith (Penfield, NY/Penfield) led the way for Alfred University with 7.5 points in each match. She had seven kills and one block assist against Cortland while having five kills, one ace, one assisted block and one solo block in the nightcap.

"Cortland came with a huge block that tested our offense in a way that it hasn't seen before," head coach Dakota Pruiss said. "I think both Alex Taylor (Rancho Cucamonga, CA/Los Osos) and Aubrey Totsline (Fairport, NY/Fairport) made great setting decisions. Jacquelynn Hicks (Greenville, NY/Greenville) showed her true senior leadership with her ability to score against them [Cortland]. She's someone we need to look to utilize more often in future matches and I'm excited with how well she opened up her senior season."

Sophomore Sarah Huzyk (North Chili, NY/Churchville-Chili) led the defense with 11 digs in the first match followed by eight in the second. The Saxons didn't score an ace in the first match against the host but put together nine against Coast Guard with sophomore Mikala McCartney (Buffalo, NY/St. Mary's) having four in the second match.

"There were a ton of long rallies throughout the match and I think we learned our lesson about leads and the ability to finish while also understanding the importance of starting off strong each set," Pruiss said.  "I have to give crdit to our sophomore class of Amber [Smith], Mikala [McCartney] and Sarah [Huzyk] who did a tremendous job on serve receive and defense. It makes me excited for the future."

The Saxons will round out their Cortland, NY stay with matches against Lebanon Valley College at 1:30 pm and SUNY Oneonta at 4:00 pm on Saturday, September 2.