Bobcats Drop Season Opener at SUNY Potsdam

Potsdam, NY ~ The Paul Smith's College women's volleyball team opened their 2025 campaign on the road Wednesday night, falling to SUNY Potsdam three sets to one (10-25, 25-20, 12-25, 12-25) at the Gerry Welsh Gymnasium in Maxcy Hall.

Despite the loss, the Bobcats saw strong individual performances, led by senior Finnley Jacobson (Vergennes, VT), who recorded a team-high 12 kills to go with seven digs, one block, and three service aces for a total of 16.5 points.  Senior captain Maddi Rhodes (Charlotte, NC) chipped in eight kills and nine digs, while junior libero Karlye Murphy (Hilton, NY) had a team-high 11 assists and contributed eight digs.

Offensively, the Bobcats struggled to find rhythm against Potsdam's tough defense, hitting just .128 as a team.  Setter Isabelle Cook (Corinth, NY) tallied five assists and five digs, while middle hitter Kennedy Marchbanks (Cazenovia, NY) added three kills and nine digs.

The host Bears controlled the pace throughout, hitting .246 as a team and spreading the offense across multiple hitters.  Potsdam was led by Noelle Redeye, who finished with 10 kills on .455 hitting, along with six digs.  Ashlee Hagerman added 10 kills and 15 points overall, while setter Emily Prest dished out 23 assists.

The Bobcats will look to regroup as they continue their non-conference slate before heading into Yankee Small College Conference (YSCC) play.  Their next match is Thursday, September 11th against NCAA Division III Castleton at 6pm in Castleton, VT.

You can follow the volleyball team on Instagram at @pscvolleyball or you can follow the general athletics account at @smitty_nation for schedules, scores, updates, and much more!  

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At Paul Smith's College, it's about the experience. As the only four-year institution of higher education located in the Adirondack Park in upstate New York, Paul Smith's provides real-world, hands-on learning in fields such as business and hospitality, culinary management, forestry, environmental sciences, and natural resources. We can draw on industries and resources available in our backyard while preparing students for successful careers anywhere. Our community of resourceful, enterprising, supportive, and adventurous individuals collectively provides experiential education, student support in the classroom and beyond, and meaningful opportunities for our alumni. We pride ourselves on research and advocacy on issues that improve our planet and the lives of the people who inhabit it. Learn more at www.paulsmiths.edu.