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NEW PALTZ, N.Y. – Once again, the State University of New York at New Paltz women's volleyball team used fifth-set heroics to prevail, this time downing Clarkson University, 3-2 (8-25, 15-25, 25-23, 25-15, 15-13), in its second match on the second and final day of the Hawks Invitational Saturday in the Hawk Center. And, once again, the Hawks (10-4) finished on top, winning the event for the seventh straight year. 

On the weekend, the Hawks assembled a perfect 4-0 record and was the only team in attendance to do so.

In its initial match of the day, New Paltz upended Ithaca College (5-6), 3-1 (25-21, 25-27, 25-20, 25-19), in the first of three meetings between the two programs this season. The Bombers started off hot out of the gates, building up a commanding 7-0 advantage in the first set. The Hawks, however, would mount a six-point rally, which brought the host team within one. After taking that set, 25-21, New Paltz cruised through the rest of the match, dropping a 27-25 game before nabbing the final two.

On the match, sophomore middle hitter Dana Vosilla (Massapequa Park, N.Y.) and sophomore right side Michelle Jacobson (Cortlandt Manor, N.Y.) had eight kills each, while freshman setter Brigid Moore (Victor, N.Y.) distributed 26 assists. Jacobson led the defense with 17 digs.

The Golden Knights (11-1) put their perfect record on the line against the blue and orange and appeared to be headed toward a blowout victory. Clarkson slammed New Paltz, 25-8, in the first set and won the second stanza by a 25-15 score. An emotional 25-23 victory in the third set kept the Hawks in it, and they forced a fifth set with a 25-15 win in the fourth frame. New Paltz secured the match and event win with a 15-13 triumph in the fifth.

Junior outside hitter Melinda DiGiovanna (West Hempstead, N.Y.) powered the Hawk attack with 12 kills, while freshman setter Marissa King (Canandaigua, N.Y.) and Moore dished out 17 and 16 assists, respectively. Jacobson reinforced the back row with 20 digs, while junior right side Tara Annunziata (Massapequa Park, N.Y.) had a standout performance on the front row, earning four block solos. 

DiGiovanna and senior middle hitter Dana Kindelmann (Nesconset, N.Y.) were named to the All-Tournament Team at the conclusion of the event.

The Hawks will gear up this week for State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) East Division Pool Play, which will occur in the Hawk Center on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 24-25. Their first match of the event is against SUNY Plattsburgh at 3 p.m. on Friday.