Albany, NY - Women's volleyball hosted the Vermont State Knights once more on Wednesday evening, but this time for a spot in the YSCC tournament this weekend. 

Freshman Grace O'Connell (Highland Falls, NY) started HOT, recording 5 early kills to give the Panthers a 6-2 lead.  Riding the early momentum, the team ran away with the first set by a score of 25-10. 

In the second set, the Knights came out with a different gameplan and executed it. Despite a 4 kill set from Emily Corbin (Millbrook, NY), it was the Knights that took this one by a score of 25-18.

The third set was a constant back and forth.  Fellow freshman Jaylianna Pascarella (Syracuse, NY) had some hustle plays to inspire and rally the Panthers that culminated with a Corbin ace to secure the set by a score of 25-21 for a 2-1 lead. 

The fourth was another close one as there were some long rallies, but after awhile the score was tied at 15.  The Knights went on a streak to go up 21-15, but the Panthers answered.  More specifically, Brooke Godfrey-Fogarty (Cohoes, NY) answered.  She had three aces to shift the momentum and another O'Connell kill sealed the deal for the Panthers. They won the fourth by a score 25-22 to secure a spot in the YSCC tournament. 

O'Connell finished the game with 23 kills as the team will prepare to head to Southern Maine on Sunday. 

How to follow the Panthers: For the latest information on ACPHS athletics, visit acphspanthers.com or check out the ACPHS athletics social media platforms on Instagram @ACPHSPanthers or X @ACPHSAthletics. 

Written by Angelo Oddo.