ONEONTA, N.Y. – Cortland split two matches during the second day of SUNYAC conference play at Oneonta, overcoming a rally by the host team to post a 3-2 victory before losing to New Paltz, 3-0.

The Red Dragons are now 8-12 overall and 2-1 in league play. Cortland will play a dual match at Clarkson on Wednesday, Oct. 1, at 6 p.m. and will host Ithaca on Wednesday, Oct. 8, at 6 p.m. The Red Dragons' next SUNYAC weekend will be at home Oct. 10-11 against Geneseo, Fredonia and Oswego.

Cortland defeated Oneonta 25-23, 25-22, 21-25, 15-25, 15-13 behind nine kills apiece from senior Mary Kelly (Guilderland) and junior Kayla Pollock (Massapequa). Freshman Jessie Allen (Syracuse/West Genesee) finished with seven kills and a team-high three blocks and sophomore Samantha Czeczotka (Elwood/John H. Glenn) had four kills and no errors in six attempts for a .667 attack percentage.

Sophomore Liz Roberts (Island Park/West Hempstead) totaled 42 assists, 10 digs and two aces and freshman Janine Patora (Salt Point/Arlington) had eight kills and 16 digs. Sophomore Melanie McGuirk (Lido Beach/Kellenberg) led the team with 28 digs and two aces and sophomore Victoria Grix (Pearl River) had 10 digs. Oneonta, following a win later in the day versus Potsdam, is now 11-8 overall and 1-2 in the league.

New Paltz (17-3, 3-0 SUNYAC) defeated Cortland 25-19, 25-23, 25-23 in a tight match in which Cortland held leads midway through the second and third sets. Junior Sydney Hayward (Trumansburg) led the Red Dragon offense with 11 kills and a .333 attack percentage. Roberts dished out 28 assists and added 10 digs and two aces.

McGuirk paced the defense with 22 digs and Patora had 12 digs. Allen led the team with three blocks.