The Alfred State volleyball team split a pair of pool play matches at the 2015 USCAA National Championships in Canton on Thursday. The Pioneers fell 2-0 to Maine Fort Kent and bounced back for a 2-0 win over Penn State Brandywine.

The Lady Pioneers scored the first five points of their match vs. Maine Fort Kent but struggled the rest of the way. The Bengals came back to win the opening set 25-18 and led throughout the second set to earn a 25-19 victory.

Janae Hamilton (Ellicottville) and Madison Szpaicher (Ellicottville) each had seven kills. Szpaicher added five digs. Lera Braun (Waterloo) passed out 24 assists and had eight digs. The Lady Pioneers hit only .179 on the day and was slowed down by six service errors.

Brianna Krystek led Fort Kent with eight kills, Salina Castro passed out 17 assists, and Tiara Nolen chipped in eight digs. The Bengals hit .340 in the contest and served four aces.

The blue & gold led thoughout their match vs. Brandywine. Hamilton led the way with nine kills while Jessica Padley (Sweet Home) had six kills and four digs. Braun passed out 20 assists and Madison Webster (Corning) chipped in seven digs. Alfred State hit .236 in the contest.

Miranda Biondi led Brandywine with 17 assists and five digs while Halee Kusner finished with six kills. The Nitany Lions hit on .029 on the game and were slowed down by eight service errors.

The Pioneers (26-6) continue pool play on Friday with a 10 a.m. contest vs. St. Mary of the Woods (IN) and a 2:30 p.m. battle with the top seed and defending champion Florida College.