Oswego volleyball dropped its first three matches at the William Smith tournament Sept. 4-5, marking the first time since 2023 that they have dropped their first three contests of a season. 

Following a 20-9 season in 2025, the Lakers came into this campaign as the second-ranked team in the SUNYAC preseason poll, 14 votes behind SUNY Cortland, who have won the last five conference championships.

The Lakers faced a challenging slate throughout the weekend, beginning with a five-set matchup against SUNY Geneseo before losing in three-set sweeps to No. 14 Wesleyan University and host William Smith in Saturday’s doubleheader.

The Lakers and Knights traded blows in the first match of the tournament, with both squads taking a set before Oswego rallied, taking the third set 25-23, putting Geneseo on thin ice. 

Right side junior Gigi Basile helped lead the Lakers offensively in the third set and delivered the final swing to solidify the victory. Basile finished the night with nine kills as Oswego moved within one set of the match win but was not able to put Geneseo away.

The Knights dominated the fourth set with a 25-10 victory and forced a decisive fifth set. 

The fifth set remained competitive, but Geneseo still prevailed, taking the final set 15-9 to complete the comeback and earn the 3-2 victory.

Junior outside hitter Priscilla McReynolds led the Lakers throughout. The 2025 SUNYAC first team star tallied 15 kills, three aces, and three blocks, while Basille logged nine kills and a block.

Oswego was outmatched by a powerful Wesleyan squad in game two. The Cardinals came out strong, showing they were the better team, jumping to a 7-1 lead. McReynolds provided a spark for the Lakers with back-to-back kills, but it was not nearly enough of a momentum shifter as Wesleyan rolled to a 25-9 win in the opening set.

Oswego showed progress in the second set, staying within two points at 10-8 courtesy of kills from McReynolds and sophomore middle blocker Liliana Nelson, as well as two aces from McReynolds. Wesleyan eventually turned on the afterburners to win 25-14. 

The third set was the closest, with Basile opening with a kill assisted by freshman setter Taylor Galligan and McReynolds tying the score at seven. The Cardinals would not be denied, taking the third and final set 25-18.

The Cardinals were led by Mila Chan and Carly Grumet, who each finished with eight kills. Siena Steines added seven kills while Fiona LaCamera recorded six kills and seven total blocks. Ella Blair led Wesleyan with 17 assists, and Adrienne Nguyen finished with 10 digs.

Oswego then faced the hosts, William Smith. The Lakers continued to battle despite another sweep. William Smith took the opening set easily, 25-13.

The Herons continued their offensive success in the second set, hitting .640 with another 18 kills to take a 25-15 victory. Just like the Wesleyan game, Oswego played its best in the third, recording a match-high eight kills, but William Smith’s defense held strong with 13 digs as the Herons closed out the sweep, 25-18.

First-year Cassidy Breuer led the Herons with a career-high 18 kills and added eight digs. Emily Fulton contributed 12 kills while hitting .478, along with eight digs and four aces. Arielle Newsome added eight kills while Senya Dorny recorded seven.

The Lakers head to Saratoga on Friday, Sept. 11, to face off with Williams College.