GENESEO, N.Y. - The SUNY Geneseo women's volleyball team kept their hopes of winning the State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) championship alive on Friday evening as they defeated Brockport in an exciting five-set match 17-25, 25-22, 25-22, 17-25, 15-13. First-year middle blocker Madison Gamberg got the game-winning point for the Knights with a big solo block at 14-13 in the final set.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Following a sluggish start offensively in the match, senior setter Morgan Michalski ran a balanced attack in the second set to get Geneseo back on track. Sophomore Linda Rossi, junior Isabella Imbo, and junior Jackie Borland all tallied four kills in the set to help even up the match at 1-1.
• The third frame was the only set where the Knights managed more kills than the Golden Eagles, registering 15 kills compared to just 12. Sophomore Madison Popielski stepped up for Geneseo as she hit a team-high .364 in the set on five kills and one error.
• The Knights were looking to close out Brockport in four sets, but with their season on the line the Golden Eagles fought back and forced a fifth and deciding set.
• Geneseo took an early 5-2 advantage in the final set, but couldn't hold their lead and found themselves trailing 12-9, just a few points away from elimination. After an attack error by Brockport made the score 12-10, Imbo stepped up to the serving line and delivered back-to-back aces to tie the set. The Knights then took the lead after a long rally was finished off by a kill from Gamberg. Two points later at 14-13, Gamberg sent the Brockport attack attempt right back down with a big solo block to seal the victory for the Knights.

QUICK FACTS

• This will mark Geneseo's third-straight championship match appearance and they will hope to bring home the Knights first SUNYAC title in program history.
• Michalski tallied her 1,000th career assist early in the first set, as she entered the match just three assists away from reaching the milestone. She finished the match with 38 assists.
• Junior libero Emily Haber led the defensive effort for the Knights with a match-high 28 digs.
• Imbo and Rossi both reached double-digit kills with 16 and 11, respectively. Popielski, Borland, and Gamberg finished with 8, 7, and 5, respectively.

WHAT'S NEXT

Geneseo will face the winner of Cortland and New Paltz in the championship match tomorrow at 4 p.m. at Cortland.