Aug. 31, 2007

Fullerton, Calif - Stony Brook's volleyball team played its second match in California in as many days this afternoon when the Seawolves made their first appearance at the Titan Classic. Stony Brook took on Portland State in the first match, dropping a close first game to the Vikings and eventually dropping the match in three games, 31-29, 30-21, 30-23. Jackie Ahlers (Stony Brook, N.Y.) led the Seawolves with 20 kills and a pair of aces.

Stony Brook (2-3) and Portland State (3-0) battled evenly in the opening game, with neither team holding more than a three-point lead at any point during the game. Trailing by three, Stony Brook came back to take five of the next six points to take a 26-25 lead on a kill by freshman Alicia Nelson (Apple Valley, Minn.). With the game tied at 27-all, Portland State scored two straight and it was enough of an edge to give the Vikings the win.

Stony Brook kept it close in the second game as well, trailing by only three at 20-23 after a kill from Ahlers, but Portland State got a pair of kills from Marija Vojnovic down the stretch and out scored the Seawolves 7-1 the rest of the way to capture the second game. In the deciding third game the Vikings jumped out to a 5-0 lead and Stony Brook could not overcome the early deficit as Portland State went on to take the win.

In addition to Ahlers, senior Morgan Sweany (Mission Viejo, Calif.) reached double figures in kills for Stony Brook with 14. Junior Noelle Bay (Selden, N.Y.) led the defensive effort for the Seawolves with 16 digs.

Stony Brook will complete play at the Titan Invitational tomorrow, taking on the host Titans at 4 p.m. Eastern before finishing the tournament with a match against Bowling Green at 10 p.m. Eastern.