Thunderwolves take host Jefferson to four sets during Region III pod, still look for first win of season

SUNY Niagara still looks for its first victory of the 2025 season after losses to Fulton-Montgomery Community College and Jefferson Community College during a Region III pod Saturday in Watertown. This marked the first of seven regional pods on the Thunderwolves' schedule this season. 

Fulton Montgomery 3, SUNY Niagara 0 

The Wolfpack recorded 22, 16 and 26 points against the Raiders to begin the regional pod. 

Sophomore outside hitter Cait Cliffe recorded 14 kills along with five aces. Classmate Ava Gaudy recorded a team-high 19 assists. Freshman outside hitter Ava Roberts recorded seven digs. 

Jefferson 3, SUNY Niagara 1

The Thunderwolves took the opening set, 25-17, before the host Cannoneers responded and won the second (29-27) and third (26-24) affairs. Jefferson then won the match behind a 25-9 victory in the fourth set. 

Gaudy finished with 31 assists and Cliffe posted her first double-double of the season with 23 kills and 10 digs. Freshman outsider hitter Sariah Tindal also recorded 10 digs, while classmate and middle-back defender Jordan Smith added four. Freshman middle hitter Tori Firkins had seven kills over the four-set match. 

NOTES:

With 50 combined (19 against Fulton-Montgomery and 31 against Jefferson) on Saturday, Gaudy is now at 497 career assists in 23 contests. Gaudy has recorded double-digit assists in 21 straight contests for the Wolfpack. Her 31 against Jefferson marked the sixth time with at least 30 in a match in her career and the first since 34 in SUNY Niagara's 3-1 win against Herkimer on October 19, 2024.

The 23 kills in the match against Jefferson marked a new career-high for Cliffe. The 10 digs against the Cannoneers gave Cliffe her seventh career double-double and her first since an 11 kill, 14 dig effort in a 3-2 loss at Monroe Community College on Oct. 26.

0-3 SUNY Niagara continues its season against longtime rival, 1-3 Erie Community College, at 6 p.m. Thursday in Buffalo.