The St. Lawrence volleyball team topped Skidmore in straight sets in their penultimate Liberty League match up on Friday night in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

The first set was close, with neither team able to get much separation. A late four-point run led by Annika Kreppein's two aces and a kill gave St. Lawrence a 20-15 lead. The Saints would go on to take the first set 25-18.

The Saints looked poised to take the second set with ease. A six-point run punctuated by a trio of kills by senior Natalie Piper put the Saints up 23-12. Skidmore responded with a six-point run of its own to make the score 23-18. Another Piper kill set up set point, and a few points later Kreppein got a kill to take the set 25-20.

The third set was the most competitive of the match. The Thoroughbreds led 22-20 and looked to extend the match, but the Saints won the next five points to take the set 25-23.

"I am very happy for our team," said head coach Shelly Roiger. "We came out a bit tight in what we knew was a 'must win' match but we had a strong second half of the first set and carried that momentum into set two. We were very efficient in that second set and dominated the 'first contact' category. Skidmore made a nice run at the end of the set that deflated us a bit and then we struggled throughout much of the third set. That last set wasn't always pretty but it was definitely gritty. We weathered the storm, didn't panic, and the players never lost faith in each other. We were doing 19-20 and really didn't have anything going our way, but the team executed when it was 'go time' and it was a tremendous feeling to pull out the 25-23 victory to earn the win."

Piper and Kreppein led the Saints' offense with 18 and 13 kills, respectively. Allie Posnick had 19 assists and Dorian Funk contributed 14 as the duo split setting duties. Kreppein and Vivian Zymeck each had two service aces.

On the defensive end, libero Reagan Collier-Hogan had 14 digs. First-year Rachel Boudreau had Zymeck each had three block assists.

Sophie Sacco and Ella Harris led Skidmore with six kills apiece. Jessica Shulman had 17 assists and 10 digs.

The St. Lawrence victory brings them to 3-3 in the Liberty League, tied with Skidmore for fourth place and the final playoff spot. Skidmore hosts Clarkson tomorrow on the final day of league play.

Records: St. Lawrence (13-9, 3-3); Skidmore (10-14, 3-3)
Up Next: At Union, Saturday, October 23, 2 p.m.