Oneonta, NY -- The Elmira College Soaring Eagles Women’s Volleyball team claimed the 2010 Oneonta State Invitational Championship this weekend achieving a perfect 5-0 weekend record. Only losing one set throughout the tournament, the Soaring Eagles cruised to the championship game and eventually overtook the tournament hosts, Oneonta State Red Dragons. Elmira’s overall record now stands at an impressive 14-5 and 3-1 in Empire 8 Conference play.

The Soaring Eagles started off tournament play with a three set victory over the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, 25-14, 25-14, 25-15. Elmira College was led offensively by the duo of Brittany Raykoske ’12 (Johnstown, NY -- Gloversville) and Sasha Zavadska ’13 (Bratislava, SVK -- The British School). Raykoske totaled an impressive 17 kills in the contest, while Zavadska registered 12 kills. Tesia Kaczynski ’11 (Mansfield, PA -- Mansfield) and Melanie Pershyn ’13 (Lakeview, NY -- Frontier) set up the EC offensive attack with 18 set assists each.

EC continued their dominant play with a 3-0 win over Skidmore in their second match of the tournament, (25-23, 25-22, 26-24). Zavadska led EC with 16 kills and 14 digs in the match. Fourth year player Chelsea Needham ’11 (Middletown, NY -- Middletown) also reached double-digits in kills with 10.

The Purple and Gold opened up day two of the Oneonta Invitational with another flawless victory against SUNY Plattsburgh, (25-13, 25-14, 25-21). Zavadska was impressive yet again for the Soaring Eagles with 18 kills, 3 serve aces, and a .471 attack percentage in the match. Kaczynski and Pershyn set up the EC offensive attack yet again with a combined 35 set assists.

Elmira College remained perfect in their fourth match of the tournament with another 3-0 win over St. Joseph’s, (25-13, 25-13, 25-20). The Soaring Eagles displayed a balanced offensive attack in the contest as no player reached double-digits in winners. Zavadska led the way with 9 kills, Raykoske recorded 8, and Needham finished the contest with 7 kills and a .333 attack percentage.

The Soaring Eagles advanced to the 2010 Oneonta Invitational Championship game against Oneonta State without a set loss in their four contests. However, the Red Dragons tested the Purple and Gold in the final match of the tournament. EC dropped the first set of the match 25-21, but responded nicely with three straight set wins (25-22, 25-22, 25-23) claiming the Oneonta Invitational championship. Zavadska displayed her offensive talent with 26 kills and a .396 attack percentage. First year standout Taryn Rumsey ’14 (Mansfield, PA -- Mansfield) and Raykoske were also impressive in the match with 14 and 17 winners respectively. Both players also achieved an attack percentage above .500. Kaczynski set up the victory with 59 set assists.

2010 Oneonta State Invitational All-Tournament Team
Kacy Boburka -- Oneonta
Amy Street -- St. John Fisher
Christina Fabiochi -- Oneonta
Sasha Zavadska ’13 -- Elmira
Ellyse Davis -- Keene State
Brittany Raykoske ’12 -- Elmira
Jessica Schaffer -- RIT
Meredith Palmer -- Skidmore
Rebecca Moore -- RIT
Juleah Vedder -- SUNYIT
Sydney Kandefer -- St. John Fisher