DELHI, N.Y. (October 18, 2018) – Floyd L. Maines Arena attracted a large crowd for SUNY Delhi women's volleyball's home regular season finale against Elmira Thursday evening. As the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee held its Fan Appreciation Night, sponsored by Cadi, the Broncos honored Kristen Maslanka as part of senior night. The ladies treated the crowd to four close sets, and although they took the first game, the Soaring Eagles claimed the latter three in Delhi's 3-1 defeat.
Maslanka was recognized prior to the game, and while the native of Pine Island, N.Y. will go down as Delhi's career leader in kills, she will make history as the program's first-ever four-year student-athlete. The senior was accompanied by her parents, and treated to a heartfelt speech by Bracchy recognizing her accomplishments and contributions over her four-year career.
The Broncos carried over that passion dominantly to start the match, earning the first nine points of the contest on their way to a 25-14 victory. The second game was evenly contested, as both sides found themselves tied at 20-20. Elmira grabbed five of the next seven points to win the set, 25-22. After falling behind 4-0 in set three, the Broncos battled back to keep things close. While Delhi worked its way to a 17-16 lead, the Soaring Eagles jumped ahead again at 22-18. The Broncos grabbed the next three points to pull within one, but Elmira took three of the next four for a 25-22 win. The Soaring Eagles then went on an early fourth-set run to lead 18-7 before Delhi proceeded to a run of its own to close the gap at 21-18. It would be as close as they would come, though, as Elmira took a 25-20 victory.
Taylor Tsatsis led the Broncos with seven kills, 17 assists and four service aces, while Ashley Hintz led with 32 digs. Caitlyn Curcurito finished with six kills and eight digs, as Erica Prindle logged five kills with ten assists. Witchney Clersainville totaled five kills with five total blocks, including two solo, as Maslanka gathered 17 digs with four total blocks and one solo block.
Thursday's game marked Delhi's regular season finale, as head coach Beau Bracchy's team closes the year with four road matches. It begins on Monday when the women take on SUNY Poly at 7:00 p.m. For the postseason, SUNY Delhi will host the ACAA Tournament, beginning Saturday, Nov. 3 when the Broncos take on Thomas More in the semifinals at 4:00 p.m.
