POTSDAM, N.Y. — The Husson University volleyball team battled through nine sets across two non-conference matches Friday night at the North Country Challenge, falling to Vermont State University-Johnson in four sets before taking host SUNY Potsdam to five sets.
The Eagles opened the evening with a 25-17, 22-25, 25-17, 26-24 setback against Johnson before winning the first two sets against Potsdam. The Bears rallied to take the nightcap 23-25, 25-27, 25-19, 26-24, 15-5.
Vermont State University-Johnson 3, Husson 1
Husson (0-5) worked back from an early deficit in the opening set, using consecutive kills from junior Autumn Peterson to spark a four-point run that cut the Badgers' lead to 12-10. Johnson (5-4) rebuilt its advantage over the remainder of the set to take a 25-17 decision.
The Eagles responded in the second set, overcoming a 16-12 deficit with five consecutive points. Junior Lilly Andreasen opened the run with a kill before sophomore Peyton Hooker added another and freshman Eden Fraser delivered a service ace to put Husson ahead 17-16.
After the Badgers pulled even at 21-21, senior Janna Preskorn recorded a kill to give the Eagles the lead. Hooker and Preskorn supplied kills on the final two points to secure a 25-22 victory and even the match. Husson recorded six service aces in the set, including three from freshman Kiara Griffin.
Husson erased an early 4-0 deficit in the third set and later used a four-point run to draw even at 14-14. The Badgers answered with eight consecutive points before taking the set 25-17.
The Eagles mounted another comeback in the fourth, scoring six straight points after trailing 23-17. Andreasen and Preskorn each recorded a kill, Hooker added a service ace and Peterson capped the run with consecutive kills to tie the score.
After Johnson regained the lead, Peterson and Andreasen combined for a block to keep Husson alive at 24-24. The Badgers claimed the next two points to close out the match.
Preskorn led the Eagles with 10 kills and added 10 digs and four blocks, including two solo stops. Peterson finished with nine kills, 10 digs, two service aces and three block assists.
Hooker and Andreasen each contributed eight kills and a team-high 14 digs, with Hooker adding four service aces and Andreasen recording three. Fraser handed out 29 assists and collected nine digs, while Griffin tallied four service aces and eight digs.
Husson finished the match with 35 kills, 14 service aces, 67 digs and six blocks.
SUNY Potsdam 3, Husson 2
Husson (0-6) built an early advantage in the opening set of the nightcap, using a five-point run highlighted by consecutive Preskorn service aces to move ahead 13-6.
The Bears (4-5) eventually drew even at 23-23, but Peterson answered with a kill before a Potsdam setting error gave the Eagles a 25-23 victory.
Husson carried that momentum into the second set, opening an 8-2 lead before Potsdam worked its way back into contention. The Eagles later faced set point at both 24-23 and 25-24, with Hooker delivering a kill each time to keep the set alive.
Peterson followed with a kill to put Husson ahead 26-25 before Hooker supplied the final point of the 27-25 victory. The Eagles recorded 16 kills while hitting .382 in the set to take a 2-0 match lead.
Potsdam answered with a 25-19 victory in the third set before the teams battled through another extended finish in the fourth.
Trailing 17-15, Husson scored four consecutive points behind two Preskorn kills and a combined block from Hooker and Peterson to move ahead 19-17. The Eagles maintained a 21-19 advantage before Potsdam responded with five straight points.
Husson fought off three set points, drawing even at 24-24 on a Preskorn kill. The Bears claimed the next two points to take the set 26-24 and force a deciding fifth frame.
Potsdam opened a 6-2 lead in the fifth and continued to build its advantage, closing the match with a 15-5 victory.
Preskorn paced the Eagles with 22 kills while hitting .269 and added 14 digs, two service aces and a block assist. Her performance brought her career total to 633 kills, moving her past Julia Leavitt's 623 into seventh place in Husson program history.
Hooker finished with 17 kills and 19 digs, while Fraser directed the offense with 47 assists and collected 11 digs.
Andreasen recorded a team-high 20 digs and added seven kills. Griffin contributed 15 digs, while Peterson finished with seven kills and two block assists.
Husson totaled 54 kills, 51 assists, five service aces and 81 digs in the match.
The Eagles will conclude the North Country Challenge on Saturday with matches against Keuka College at 1 p.m. and Hilbert College at 3 p.m.
