W. Volleyball Doubles the Fun with Two Skyline Wins Over LI Rivals

Patchogue, N.Y. — The Lady Golden Eagles (10-6, 2-0 SKY) did not lose on Saturday, dominating both the Old Westbury Panthers (0-11, 0-2 SKY) and the Farmingdale State Rams (6-15, 2-2 SKY) 3-0 in their first two Skyline Conference games of the season. The tri-match also served as the team's annual Dig Pink Breast Cancer Fundraiser.

When the Eagles stepped onto the court for the first match, they left no question that they were there to win. When the Panthers were unable to return Julianne Tierney's (Bethpage, N.Y./ Bethpage) first five serves, the tone was set. The first set ended quickly, 25-8. In an attempt at a comeback, Old Westbury came out for the second set with fire under their feet, hopping out to a 3-1 lead, their first and last of the match. The Eagles bounced back quickly, tying the game at four, quickly establishing a comfortable lead and ultimately winning the set 25-14.

The third match was much like the first as the Panthers struggled to both put points on the board and defend SJC's strong offensive efforts. The last set ended 25-14.

Heather Ferchland (Selden, N.Y./ Centereach) had seven kills in the match while Jessica Montesseratto (Wantagh, N.Y./ Mepham) had 16 assists.

The stands were rocking for the final match up of the day. With both the Rams and the Golden Eagles coming off of 3-0 wins against the Panthers, each team was warmed up and ready to go. The Eagles wasted no time in capturing a ten-point lead, expertly defending Farmingdale's offensive efforts and capitalizing on the Ram's weak spots. The first game ended with a service ace by Courtney Wickline (Medford, N.Y./ Bellport), the final score 25-11.

The Rams pushed back in the second set, tying the game several times and even achieving a 20-18 lead. The Golden Eagles refused to allow the Rams to score another point. With Erin Kelly (Ridge, N.Y./ Longwood) leading the team with her serves, SJC went on a seven-point run to win the set 25-20.

The Eagles' experience showed in the third in final set, as they met the roaring crowd with their energy and maintained composure. SJC did not allow the Rams to get even a single point lead and with a seven-point run at the end, commanded by Tiffany Willms' (Centereach, N.Y./ Centereach) serves, to run the score up to 24-14, all it took was a serving error by the Rams for them to capture the victory.

Ferchland and Willms each logged nine kills and Tierney had 25 assists.

The Lady Golden Eagles — defending Skyline Conference champions and currently undefeated in the conference — will travel to Newburg, N.Y. on Saturday to build on that record with matches against two conference competitors, Mt. St. Mary College and Maritime College.