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DATE: Wed., Nov. 1, 2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Women's Volleyball

Devils out to write their own ending

FREDONIA, N.Y. -- Third-seeded Fredonia State will open up the 2006 SUNYAC Volleyball Championships against second-seeded Cortland in Brockport on Thursday, November 2, at 3 p.m.

Despite being the lowest seed from the SUNYAC’s West division, Fredonia State head coach Geoff Braun believes his team has a legitimate chance to win the entire tournament.

“The talent is spread out among the teams pretty evenly,” Braun said. “Obviously, Brockport and New Paltz have an advantage having a bye into the semifinals, but it wouldn’t surprise me if any of the other teams, including us, win.”

In order to do that, Fredonia State must turn around some disappointing recent play. The Blue Devils are just 2-5 in their last seven matches heading into the tournament. The Devils earned a spot by going 4-4 in conference play (16-15 overall).

“We have to get back to playing better defense and being aggressive offensively,” Braun said.

Fredonia State will look to sophomore outside hitter Amy Bertrando (Westfield/Westfield) and senior middle hitter Stephanie DeGolier (Cassadaga/Cassadaga Valley) to do just that. Bertrando is the offensive catalyst, leading the team in kills with 375. DeGolier anchors the defense as the team leader in blocks with 83.

Fredonia State lost its only match against Cortland during the regular season (30-32, 23-30, 22-30) in the Cortland Tournament on September 1. The Blue Devils are looking forward at a chance to even the score.

“We are writing our own ending to the season,” Braun said about making it to the playoffs. “It’s what we have earned, and how we like it.”

The winner of the Fredonia State-Cortland match will meet host Brockport, the No. 1 seed from the West division at 3 p.m. on Friday in the semifinals. Brockport was the only team to go undefeated in the SUNYAC this year, compiling an 8-0 mark, while finishing the season 27-8 overall.

Geneseo and Oneonta will face off in the other first-round match for the right to take on the No. 1 seed from the East, New Paltz, at 5:30 p.m. Friday.

The winners of the two semifinal matches will square off at 3 p.m. Saturday for the SUNYAC Championship and an automatic NCAA berth.

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