Tournament Website
Box Score

CORTLAND, N.Y. – The State University of New York at New Paltz women's volleyball team (25-10) marched into the SUNYAC Championship semifinal round after defeating SUNY Geneseo (17-19) in straight sets, 3-0 (25-13, 25-21, 25-15), Thursday night in Corey Gymnasium.  Senior outside hitter Melinda DiGiovanna (West Hempstead, N.Y./West Hempstead) posted a match-high 14 kills to go along with 12 digs for her 17th double-double of the season to pave the way for the Hawks.

New Paltz turned in a solid offensive effort as it recorded a .246 hitting percentage compared to the Blue Knights, who struggled with a .027 hitting percentage after 22 attack errors.  The Hawk offense was aided by the efficiency of junior middle hitters Laura Stanhewicz (Warwick, N.Y./Warwick Valley) and Dana Vosilla (Massapequa Park, N.Y./Massapequa), who put away eight kills each, while hitting over .300.

Sophomore libero Carrie Hack (Baldwinsville, N.Y./C.W. Baker) led the New Paltz defense with a match-high 18 digs followed by 12 digs apiece from DiGiovanna and freshman defensive specialist Katy Herbst (Webster, N.Y./Webster Schroeder).  Sophomore setter Marissa King (Canandaigua, N.Y./Canandaigua Academy) dished out 39 assists during the match.

With the win, the Hawks earned the right to play SUNY Fredonia, the top seed coming out of the SUNYAC West Division, on Friday at 6 p.m. in Cortland.  The winner of the match will face the winner of SUNY Cortland/SUNY Oneonta on Saturday at 2 p.m. in the championship match with the victor earning an automatic bid to the 2011 NCAA Division III Women's Volleyball Tournament.