Tournament Website
Johnson & Wales Box Score
Clarkson Box Score

NEW PALTZ, N.Y. – A split against Johnson & Wales University and Clarkson University gave the State University of New York at New Paltz women's volleyball team (7-6) a third-place finish overall at the Hawks Invitational. The Hawks beat Johnson & Wales, 3-0 (25-12, 25-13, 26-24), before falling, 3-0 (25-19, 25-20, 25-14), to Clarkson on the second and final day of the Hawks Invitational Saturday.

Clarkson won the team title after going 4-0 on the weekend. SUNY Fredonia finished second at 3-1, New Paltz was third at 2-2, Mount Saint Mary College placed fourth at 1-3 and Johnson & Wales was fifth at 0-4. An All-Tournament Team for the event will be announced on Monday.

In recognition for her efforts on the weekend, sophomore setter Brigid Moore (Victor, N.Y./Victor) was named to the All-Tournament Team.

Senior outside hitter Melinda DiGiovanna (West Hempstead, N.Y./West Hempstead) paced the Hawks against Johnson & Wales, hitting .350 off nine kills and two errors on 20 total attempts. Junior middle hitter Dana Vosilla (Massapequa Park, N.Y./Massapequa) hit at a .455 clip, notching five kills in 11 total attempts with no errors, while Moore and sophomore setter Marissa King (Canandaigua, N.Y./Canandaigua Academy) split time at the setter position, dishing out 22 and 13 assists, respectively. Freshman libero Katy Herbst (Webster, N.Y./Webster Schroeder) tied junior outside hitter Michelle Jacobson (Cortlandt Manor, N.Y./Hendrick Hudson) for the team-high in digs with nine, and also added a match-high four service aces.

For Johnson & Wales, Audrey Warren hit .389 off of eight kills and one error on 18 total attempts. Ashley Rey and Natasha Finkbeiner each boasted 10 assists, while Courtney Wright registered 15 digs.

The Hawks were unable to match the athleticism and energy of Clarkson, falling in straight sets despite engaging in long rallies. DiGiovanna led New Paltz with eight kills, while Moore handed out 19 assists. DiGiovanna, Jacobson, senior setter Kelsey Garmendia (Pine Bush, N.Y./Pine Bush) and Herbst all tied for the team-high in digs with 10, while junior middle hitter Laura Stanhewicz (Warwick, N.Y./Warwick Valley) and DiGiovanna shored up the front row with two block assists.

For Clarkson, Sara Artus (14) and Bailey Walker (11) had double-digit kill totals, while Lani Durio dished out 31 assists. Erika Chin had the match-high in digs with 23, and Nicole Edwards and Rachel Simons recorded three block assists apiece.

New Paltz looks to get back on track next weekend when it competes in the first round of State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) Pool Play at SUNY Oneonta from Sept. 23-24. The Hawks open up against SUNY Cortland at 3 p.m. on Friday.