ROCHESTER, NY – An early momentum swing for Alfred University cost the Nazareth University Volleyball team the first set and the Saxons went on to post a 3-0 victory Tuesday night in the first round of the Empire 8 Tournament at Kidera Gymnasium.

Nazareth (9-18 overall) led 21-15 late in the first set but Alfred (12-13) rallied to score the final 10 points of the set to steal a 25-21 win and take an early 1-0 lead in the match.

Alfred kept the momentum early in the second set and took a 12-2 lead in the opening minutes of the set.

Nazareth battled back to within six points at 18-12 but the Saxons maintained the advantage and raced to a 25-17 win to push the match lead to 2-0.

After falling behind 6-1 at the start of the third set, the Golden Flyers used three kills by sophomore Rylie Loomis to close the gap to a point at 7-6 and the match remained close the rest of the way.

A kill by junior Tessa Grover tied the score at 23-23 and later, a kill by senior Jillian Panek kept the score tied at 24-24.

A kill and a service ace gave the Saxons the final two points to clinch the match.

Alfred advances to face St. John Fisher Thursday in the Empire 8 Tournament semifinal. Keuka defeated Utica 3-1 Tuesday and will face Hartwick in the second semifinal Thursday.