Stats vs. Baruch l Stats vs. Skidmore | Cumulative stats | Tournament site
CORTLAND, N.Y. -- Nazareth began its 2012 women's volleyball season at the Red Dragon Classic, hosted by Cortland. In their first match, the Golden Flyers defeated Baruch in four sets by the scores of 25-21, 23-25, 25-23, 25-15. In the second match, Skidmore edged Nazareth in five sets by the scores of 14-25, 22-25, 25-23, 25-21, 15-11.

Against Baruch, Nazareth outlasted the Bearcats with a balanced offensive attack and effective serving. Five players finished with at least six kills for the Golden Flyers. Sophomore Chelsea Beecher tallied a team-high 10 kills, followed by nine kills apiece from senior Amy Johnson and sophomore Maria Allocco. Sophomores Olivia Harrigan and Kassandra Buseck added seven kills and six kills, respectively. Senior Brittany Crocetti and freshman Jennifer Goodman each recorded four service aces. As a team, Nazareth finished with 13 aces.

Defensively, Allocco controlled the net as she amassed three solo blocks and four assisted blocks. Crocetti finished with a team-high 14 digs, followed by senior Amy Johnson, who had 11 digs.

In the second match against Skidmore, the Golden Flyers opened the contest by dominating the first set with 13 kills and only one error. The Golden Flyers took a two-set lead on the Thoroughbreds with 11 kills in the second set. Although Skidmore held off Nazareth in the third set, the Golden Flyers had 12 kills and just four errors. In the final two sets, the Thoroughbreds held Nazareth to a total of 13 kills and and forced the Golden Flyers into making nine hitting errors.

Allocco had 13 kills to lead Nazareth against Skidmore. Harrigan and Buseck added 10 kills and nine kills, respectively. Allocco and Johnson also tallied three service aces apiece to lead Nazareth.

On the defensive side, Crocetti and Goodman each recorded 12 digs, and Beecher added 11 digs. Johnson also recorded four solo blocks and an assisted block.

Friday's 8 p.m. match between Baruch and Skidmore will determine when the Golden Flyers will play on Saturday.