Lakers Embark to the National Tournament
CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. – The Finger Lakes Community College Women's Volleyball team was sent off to Rochester, Minnesota on Tuesday, November 9th for the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Women's National Volleyball Tournament.
The Lakers got to the games after defeating Fulton-Montgomery Community College in the NJCAA Region III, Division III championship game, 3 sets to 1. The Lakers peaked at the right moment against a Raiders squad who went into the game 15-2. The Lakers previously matched up with the Raiders early in the season at SUNY Adirondack, seeing the Lakers fall 3 sets to none.
The Lakers played a magnificent fourth set. The Raiders took a commanding 24-18 lead in the fourth set, almost certainty sealing the set win. However, Freshman Caitlynne Marczyk (Hemlock, N.Y./ Livonia) held the Raiders off. Marczyk served points 19-25 to give the Lakers the 25-24 lead and in the process, the Lakers fought off game point 7 times. Ultimately, the Lakers came out on top to 27-25 to win the NJCAA Region III, Division III championship.
Punching their ticket to the NJCAA Women's National Volleyball Tournament, the Lakers awaited their opponent. The Lakers drew the 10th seed in the tournament and earned a matchup against Raritan Valley Community College out of Region XIX. The Lion of Raritan Valley enter the tournament with a record of 22-5 and riding a 10-game win streak. 4 of the Lions 5 losses came in their first 4 games of the season.
The Lakers had one common opponent against the Lions on the regular season. In late August, the Lion travelled to New Rochelle, N.Y. and played a match against the Cannoneers, falling 3-2. During the season, the Lakers played the Cannoneers twice, splitting their series 1-1 with the Lakers winning the first matchup 3-2, and losing their second, 2-1.
The team is determined to continue their stellar play, on November 11th in their match against Raritan Valley at 11 A.M.