Genesee went to five sets with Mercyhurst University North East on Thursday night, but could not pick up its first Western New York Athletic Conference (WNYAC) win of the year falling 3-2 to the visiting Saints.
Mercyhurst stormed out to a 12-3 lead in the first set and did not trail in the opening game. Miki Goto served to four straight points to help get the Cougars to within three at 15-12, and GCC even got to within one at 18-17 before the Saints took seven of the last nine points to win game one 25-19.
A long rally on the 28th point of set two went Genesee's way and helped give the Cougars momentum to a 25-19 win in game two, tying the match at a game apiece. GCC then outlasted MNE in game three, 27-25 to take a 2-1 lead in the match. Genesee trailed 17-15 at one point but came back to win its second game in a row.
GCC was within two points of a match win in game four at 23-21, but Mercyhurst held strong to win each of the last four points on its way to a 25-23 win. The Saints then jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the fifth and final set, and despite giving GCC back the lead at 6-5, pulled away down the stretch to win the game 15-10 and the match 3-2.
Sarah Kuhn ended the night with 35 assists for Genesee, Kristi Knutson tallied 30 digs and 21 kills, Naomi Hyde added 22 digs and 17 kills and Elizabeth Taylor finished with 19 digs.
Genesee (3-10) will host its POD event this Saturday beginning at 9 a.m. The Cougars will play Mohawk Valley CC, Fulton-Montgomery CC and Herkimer College throughout the day.
