SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – The St. John Fisher College women's volleyball team wrapped up its three match weekend at the Skidmore Invitational, with two matches on Saturday afternoon versus the College of New Rochelle and SUNY Plattsburgh. In their first match, the Cardinals took down New Rochelle in five sets 20-25, 25-16, 25-21, 20-25, 15-13 and then followed up with a straight set win over Plattsburgh 25-17, 25-20, 26-24.

With both victories, the Cardinals improve to 10-9 overall, while the Blue Angels fall to 3-13 and Plattsburgh moves to 5-12 overall in 2018.

Alea Steigerwald was unstoppable in the first match of the day, as the freshman posted a career-high 32 kills with a .356 hitting percentage, two service aces, and 11 digs in the win over the Blue Angels.

After falling in a back-and-forth first set, the Cardinals rallied back and posted 13 kills, with a .310 hitting percentage in the second set. After both sides traded points for an 8-8 tie, Elise Kreuz made her way to the service line and posted two service aces, while a Bernadette Nichols kill gave the Cardinals some momentum.

Fisher continued to keep the pressure on, putting together a 5-0 scoring run with the help of three Steigerwald kills, giving them a 16-10 advantage. New Rochelle was able to climb back to within three, however another 5-0 scoring run, followed by kills from Steigerwald and Izzy Smith capped off a second set victory for Fisher.

Erica Pawlewicz started off the very competitive third set for both sides. Fisher and New Rochelle would trade points back-and-forth for the majority of the third set, trying to earn the momentum. As the scoreboard read 20-20, another Pawlewicz kill gave the Cardinals a spark, as they moved forward with a 4-1 scoring run, to win the third set. It was once again Steigerwald and Smith finishing off the Blue Angels with the final two kills in the set for Fisher.

New Rochelle fought back in the fourth set, using a two four-point scoring runs throughout the set, to tie the match back up at two sets apiece and force a deciding fifth set. Steigerwald had a monster fourth set, finishing with nine of her 32 total kills.

Steigerwald continued her dominant offensive performance, notching the first three Fisher kills in the deciding fifth set. Both teams battled back-and-forth, until the scoreboard read 9-9.

It was the Cardinals to breakthrough, using kills from Steigerwald and Molly Taylor as well as two Blue Angels errors to gain a late 13-9 advantage. New Rochelle closed the gap, coming back to within one point, however a service error gave the Cardinals the hard fought victory.

Steigerwald led the Fisher offense with 32 kills, while Smith added 11 kills and Nichols posted eight. The libero Kreuz notched 20 digs and a game-high five service aces, while Taylor handled the setting duties and finished with a career-high 49 assists.

The Fisher offense continued its dominance in the second match of the day, finishing with 37 total kills and 11 service aces in the straight set win over Plattsburgh.

The Cardinals used a four and a five point scoring run throughout the first set, to gain the edge early. Steigerwald, Smith, and Mikhala Martens all finished with two service aces a piece, in the first set victory.

Much like the first set, the Cardinals used a pair of scoring runs from the service line to their advantage. Steigerwald notched 10 of her 17 total kills in the second set, helping Fisher take a two sets to none lead.

After falling behind early, Fisher battled back midway through the third set to tie the set up at 15-15 with a Pawlewicz kill. This time it was Plattsburgh that used its serving to its advantage with two late service aces, giving them the 22-20 lead.

However, Kelly Greapentrog's team battled back and finished off Plattsburgh with a 6-2 scoring run, capped off by a Julia Halsey service ace to win the match. Steigerwald finished with a game-high 17 kills, with Smith pitching in 13.

Rebecca Hay handled the setting duties, posting 27 assists, while Kreuz led the defense with a game-high 18 digs and three service aces.

The Cardinals return to the court on Wednesday, when they travel to Utica for an Empire 8 Conference battle with the Pioneers at 6 p.m.