COBLESKILL, N.Y. – The Vermont State University Castleton women's volleyball team earned a commanding 3-0 road sweep over SUNY Cobleskill on Wednesday night, using steady serving and balanced offense to close out its non-conference schedule on a high note.
The Basics
Final Score: VTSU Castleton 3, SUNY Cobleskill 0
Location: Iorio Gymnasium – Cobleskill, N.Y.
Records: VTSU Castleton 13-13 | SUNY Cobleskill 8-16
How It Happened
The Spartans started strong, establishing an early lead with a combination of aggressive serving and precise hitting. Freshmen standouts Olivia Smith and Brianna Walsh made an immediate impact, with Walsh recording two service aces and a pair of kills, and Smith adding three kills to give Castleton an early edge. The Spartans capitalized on several Cobleskill errors to maintain their lead. Despite a late surge from the Tigers, including a few key kills at the net, Castleton's consistent attack closed out the frame, 25-22.
Castleton carried its momentum into the second set, with Jocelyn Ray delivering a strong performance. Ray recorded a 3-0 service run that included an ace and a kill, energizing the Spartans with an early lead. Smith continued her strong offensive play with three additional kills, while Alondra Rojas added three kills of her own to keep Castleton ahead. Cobleskill's Kathleen Smart had a strong presence at the net, recording several critical kills, but Castleton's balanced attack and efficient ball handling helped the team fend off late rallies. The Spartans closed out the set 25-19, finishing with a 4-0 run led by Walsh.
The third set was closely contested as both teams battled for every point. Cobleskill stayed in the match with strong net play from Smart and Emma Hinze, combining for several kills that kept the score tight early. Castleton countered with strong offensive contributions, led by Smith's four kills, and Sam Ford's three off the bench, which sparked critical allies. Ray added two kills and a service ace during a 4-0 run, maintaining the team's offensive rhythm. Cobleskill forced several long rallies and took advantage of early Spartan errors, keeping the set competitive throughout. Ultimately, Castleton's consistency and ability to capitalize on several Cobleskills miscues allowed the Spartans to secure the set 25-18 and complete the 3-0 sweep.
By the Numbers
- Smith led the Spartans with 11 kills, two blocks, and one dig, hitting .476.
- Ray contributed five kills and two service aces.
- Rojas tallied five kills, 23 assists, one ace, and seven digs.
- Castleton hit .222 as a team, compared to Cobleskill's .077, while leading in kills, blocks, and digs.
What's Next
The Spartans will travel to conference opponent Rhode Island College for their final regular-season matchup at 12 p.m.
