Box l  Updated Stats

WELLESLEY, M.A. – The Nazareth College women's volleyball team lost its opening game of the Wellesley Invitational on Friday, falling by a score of 25-22, 23-25, 25-13, 25-16 to the Oneonta State Red Dragons.

Nazareth moves to 14-13 on the year with the loss, while Oneonta improves to 13-8.

The Golden Flyers led by as many as 13-6 in the opening set following a service ace from freshman Celia Cordero.  Oneonta went on a run however, knotting the game up at 16 apiece and capitalized late. 

After jumping to a 17-10 lead in the second set, Nazareth was able to hold off a furious Red Dragon comeback attempt.  Oneonta eventually tied the game at 21 apiece.   Cady Messmer closed out the set with a kill to give Nazareth its only set of the day.

In the third set, Oneonta gained some distance from a 5-5 tie by going on a 7-0 run and never looked back.

The Red Dragons kept that momentum going in the fourth and final set, picking up 10 of the first 15 points.

Messmer finished the day with 16 kills, while Kelsey Milligan chipped in six.  Maureen Thayer led the team in assists (28) and digs (12).

Nazareth will continue play in the Wellesley Invitational on Saturday, squaring off against Wellesley at 10 a.m. and Southern Maine at 2 p.m.