National News

 September 16, 2012

SANBORN, N.Y. - Sept. 15 - Erie Community College volleyball head coach Craig Starzynski recorded his 100th career victory with the Kats Saturday as ECC downed Columbia-Greene CC, 25-7, 25-13, 25-22 in Region III pod play at Niagara County CC. He added his 101th victory later in the day with a four-set win over Fulton-Montgomery CC.

ECC, which won all four matches it played Saturday, is now 10-3 this season. The Kats also defeated Hudson Valley CC, 25-21, 25-20, 25-19; Adirondack CC, 25-9, 26-24, 25-18; and Fulton-Montgomery CC, 25-13, 18-25, 25-17, 25-15.

Sophomore All-America Rylie Bean (Hamburg, N.Y./Frontier) had 47 digs, 41 kills and 15 ace serves in the four contests. Sophomore Katie Russi (Hamburg, N.Y./Frontier) added 52 kills while freshman Jen Freeman (Depew, N.Y./Depew) picked up 115 set assists.

"Jen came back after missing a week and played great," Starzynski said. "She was able to get the ball to the right player in the right spot at the right moment and we played much better offensively, as a result. Emilee Piechocki (Alexander, N.Y./Alexander) really stepped up today, giving us 25 kills and 26 digs."

The Kats will play Monroe CC in Western New York Athletic Conference play Wednesday at 6 p.m. in Rochester, N.Y.