Lakers Celebrate Ring Ceremony and Upset Victory in Home Opener

CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. - The Finger Lakes Community College women's volleyball team hosted their home opener Tuesday, September 6th against the SUNY Jefferson Cannoneers. The team celebrated the 2021 Lakers women's volleyball team for their historic season which saw them win the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region III, District A championship and finish 7th in the nation. The regional championship and national championship appearance for the Lakers were a program-first.

The championship team's banner was officially hung in the Putt Moore Gymnasium, and the members of the 2021 team were presented with their championship rings. Current sophomores Meghan Johnson (Phelps, N.Y./ Newark), Kayla Fetcie (Victor, N.Y./ Victor), and Emer O'Brien (Canandaigua, N.Y./ Canandaigua) received their rings as the three returning members for this years team. On an emotional night for the team, the Lakers faced a tall task in their matchup with the SUNY Jefferson Cannoneers, who entered the matchup undefeated and ranked 9th in the country. 

The Lakers did not let the moment get to them, as they erupted for a 25-16 first-set victory. The Cannoneers pushed back in the second set, with the Lakers coming away with a close 25-23 victory. The team entered the final set, looking for a sweep, and they delivered. The Lakers would come away with a 25-20 victory in the third set to finish the upset victory over their NJCAA Region III opponent. 

Lakers Freshman Brooke DeGroff (Castile, N.Y./ Letchworth) continued her dominant start to the season, adding 14 kills and 14 digs in three sets played. Sophomore teammate Meghan Johnson (Phelps, N.Y./ Newark) followed with 9.5 points with 5 kills, 1 assist, 4 aces, and 18 digs in the match.

Freshman Sage Barnedo (Silver Springs, M.D./ Springbrook) continued to rack up the assists on the season, adding in 28, to go along with 2 kills, 1 ace, and 13 digs. Freshman Kaidyn VanDelinder (Gananda, N.Y./ Gananda) and Megan Sanford (Savona, N.Y./ Campbell-Savona) stepped up at several points in the game to give the Lakers a spark. VanDelinder finished with 5 kills, 1 dig, 1 block solo, and 1 block assists, while Sanford racked up 5 kills, 2 digs, and 1 block solo in the game. 

Adrianna Botello (Holley, N.Y./ Holley) added 10 digs, Olivia Sheehan (Irondequoit, N.Y./ West Irondequoit) had 19 digs, Kierstin Comerford (Geneva, N.Y./ Geneva) added 2 aces and 3 digs, while Sophomore Kayla Fetcie (Victor, N.Y./ Victor) finished with 3 kills and 1 dig to wrap up the night for the Lakers.

The team will make another trip on the road Sunday, September 10th for the Monroe Community College POD. The Lakers will find themselves matched with the SUNY Adirondack Wolves, along with the Hudson Valley Community College Vikings.