Tribunes Drop a Pair in Region III POD

QUEENSBURY, NY - Monroe Community College's Volleyball team faced a challenging weekend at the POD tournament, dropping two hard-fought matches. The Tribunes were first defeated by Hudson Valley Community College in a competitive 3-1 loss, followed by a 3-0 sweep at the hands of SUNY Adirondack. Despite the losses, several players stood out with notable performances across both games.

Game 1: Hudson Valley Edges MCC in a 3-1 Battle

MCC opened the POD with a tough battle against the Hudson Valley Community College Vikings. The match went the Vikings' way 3-1, winning the first set 25-22. The Tribunes battled to win set two to draw the match level (25-16), but only for HVCC to win the next two sets and take the match (25-23 in both sets).  

In the first set, MCC started strong, hitting .292 with 10 kills and only 3 errors but came up just short, losing 25-22. The second set saw the Tribunes struggle offensively, as their hitting percentage dropped to .083, and they fell 25-16.

In the final two sets, however, both teams were in a fight. MCC recorded 13 kills and improved their hitting percentage to .184, showing resilience in a close 25-23 loss. In the fourth and final set, MCC fought hard but ultimately lost another tight set 25-23 despite hitting an impressive .292 with ten kills.

Key performers in the match included Elana Barrett (Langsville, OH), Madalyn Robinson (Attica, NY), and Norah O'Connor (Plain City, OH). Barrett had a strong all-around game, recording ten kills with an impressive .500 hitting percentage, along with two aces, ten digs, and a block assist, totaling 12.5 points. Robinson led the team with 11 kills and 15 digs, showcasing her versatility. She added 3 service aces and totaled 14 points, the highest on the team. O'Connor played a pivotal role as the setter, dishing out 30 assists. She also contributed 2 service aces, and ten digs; and made no errors from the service line. 

Game 2: SUNY Adirondack Timberwolves Overpower MCC in 3-0 Sweep

In their second match, the Tribunes faced the SUNY Adirondack Timberwolves and were swept 3-0 (25-21, 25-16, 25-14). The first set was tightly contested, with MCC recording 14 kills and posting a .111 hitting percentage, but they ultimately fell 25-21.

As the match progressed, MCC struggled offensively, with the team's hitting percentage plummeting into the negatives in both the second (-.024) and third sets (-.057). They managed just 9 kills in the second set and 8 kills in the third, as Adirondack's defense and aggressive play proved too much to overcome.

Despite the tough game, bright spots on the roster continue to emerge. Standout players like Madalyn Robinson (Attica, NY), Angelika Lopez (Catskill, NY), and Norah O'Connor (Plain City, OH) are turning out to be consistent performers for the Tribunes.

Robinson proved again to be the most prolific attacker for the team with the most kills (9), though her hitting percentage was modest .111 due to 6 attack errors. Her contribution of 9 digs also shows she was active on defense; Lopez was a standout defensively, leading the team in digs with 15; and O'Connor played a key role in facilitating the offense as the primary setter, leading the team with 16 assists and also contributed defensively with 6 digs.

Looking Forward

While the weekend resulted in two losses, several players demonstrated their potential and resilience. Madalyn Robinson was the offensive leader across both matches, consistently contributing both kills and digs. Elana Barrett's efficient hitting in the first match was a major highlight, while Norah O'Connor continued to play a critical role as the team's primary setter.

The Tribunes' defense remained solid throughout both games, with 60 total digs highlighting their ability to battle even when the offense struggles. Angelika Lopez, in particular, was a defensive force, leading the team in digs in both matches. 

Overall, it was a weekend to forget as the Tribunes were unable to get victories in either match-up in Queensbury. MCC will look to rebound as they come home for a POD on Saturday, September 14th. 

NEXT UP: vs Jefferson Community College & Fulton-Montgomery Community College | 9/14/24 (noon & 2 pm) - Monagan Court (Monroe CC Brighton Campus)