SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Cortland opened with a 2-0 record during the first day of competition at the seven-team Skidmore College Invitational with victories over Montclair State and the host Thoroughbreds. The Red Dragons improved to 21-11 on the season and eclipsed the 20-win mark for the 27th consecutive season.

Cortland, ranked seventh in the NCAA Division III New York region, won in four sets over Montclair. The Red Dragons dropped the first set, 25-21, but posted convincing wins in the next three sets, 25-17, 25-12, 25-16. Senior Ariel Rakita (Lake Grove/Sachem) finished with 12 kills and 12 digs and sophomore Kaitlyn Cooper (Rochester/Webster Schroeder) added nine kills, six blocks and two aces.

Freshman setter Kristen Guercio (Smithtown/Smithtown East) registered 37 assists, four blocks and three aces. Freshman Jenna Davies (Brewerton/Paul V. Moore) finished with career highs of seven kills and three aces, sophomore Sheena Asibey (Brentwood) had seven kills and four blocks and senior Michelle Gaufman (Wantagh/MacArthur) recorded six kills, two aces and 12 digs. Freshman Katie Wick (Cortland/Homer), playing her first game at libero this season, totaled 12 digs and six aces.

Cortland then outlasted Skidmore in five sets. The Red Dragons fell 27-25 in the opening set before earning 25-20 wins in the next two frames. Skidmore knotted the match with a 25-21 decision in the fourth set, but Cortland triumphed 15-7 in the fifth set.

Gaufman led the way in the win with 20 kills and 12 digs. Asibey put down 14 kills, Rakita finished with 13 kills, 17 digs and two aces, Cooper had nine kills and four blocks and Guercio matched her career high with 54 assists. Freshman Erin Carrino (Baldwinsville/C.W. Baker) had 14 digs and Wick totaled 11 digs and two aces.

Cortland and New Paltz are each 2-0 after the opening day, although the teams will not face each other. The Red Dragons will play Saturday versus Union at 10 a.m. and Ramapo at noon.