Tribunes finish runner-up at WNYAC Tournament

BATAVIA, New York - The third-seeded MCC volleyball team had a strong showing at the Western New York Athletic Conference tournament on Saturday, winning a pair of pool play matches before dropping a tight contest with unbeaten Jamestown in the championship.

The Tribunes (26-8) head to the Region III tournament this coming weekend at Jamestown. Monroe is the fifth seed.

MCC opened the WNYAC tourney in pool play by defeating Niagara County 25-10, 25-12.  Tessa Engel had seven kills and 10 digs and Chelsea Steinruck added four kills and four digs. Laura Wyckoff and Sam Ashman combined for 12 assists.

The Tribunes then took on Erie in the other pool match. The Kats looked to be in control in the opening set after taking a 24-19 lead. But Engel served seven consecutive points as Monroe took the set 26-24. MCC then won the second 25-19 to win the match. Engel and Green finished with five kills each, Steinruck and Wyckoff added four apiece, and Cherelle Grant had three. Green chipped in with five blocks, Engel had 10 digs and four aces, and Ashman had 11 assists.

That set up the title tilt with Jamestown. MCC took the first set 25-21, but the Jayhawks rebounded to win 25-15, 15-9 to claim the conference championship. Engel finished with eight kills and 15 digs, while Green tallied eight kills, 10 digs, and six blocks. Wyckoff had a double-double with 13 assists and 11 digs.

Engel and Green were named to the all-tournament team.