Box Score
NEW PALTZ, N.Y. – Despite a shift in the momentum in the second set, the State University of New York at New Paltz women's volleyball team (8-1) was able to put away the Stevens Institute of Technology (0-8), winning by a 3-1 (25-13, 13-25, 25-19, 25-12) final on Wednesday evening in New Paltz's 2012 home opener at the Hawk Center.
New Paltz hit -.135 in the second set, but hitting percentages of .333 and .393 in the first and fourth sets, respectively, buoyed an overall hitting percentage of .145 for the night. Furthermore, the Hawks boasted a sideout percentage of 55 percent, besting Stevens' 44 percent showing.
The Hawks started out quickly in the first set, as they mounted an 8-1 advantage. Stevens started closing the gap, but a stretch of five straight points—capped by a kill by freshman outside hitter
Becca Borquist (Rhinebeck, N.Y./Rhinebeck)—made it 23-12 in favor of the home team. Katie Hall landed a kill for the Ducks, but a kill by junior middle hitter
Liz Hauser (East Williston, N.Y./Sacred Heart Academy) and a service ace by junior setter
Marissa King (Canandaigua, N.Y./Canandaigua Academy) sewed up the set for the Hawks.
New Paltz led, 9-6, in the second set, but Stevens scored six straight to mount an 11-9 lead. From that point forward, the Ducks never trailed and took the set, 25-13.
Seeking redemption in the third stanza, New Paltz battled late in the frame to take the 2-1 lead. Down 18-17, the Hawks went on a 7-0 run, and an ace by Borquist made it a 24-18 tally. After a New Paltz attack error, the Ducks made an offensive miscue of their own, giving the home team the set.
Stevens was unable to match the offensive firepower of New Paltz in the fourth set, as the Hawks hit .393 in the frame to cruise to a 25-12 victory. That would prove to be the final blow in the Hawks' four-set victory.
New Paltz received a double-double from Borquist, who floored 12 kills and had 14 digs. Senior middle hitter
Dana Vosilla (Massapequa Park, N.Y./Massapequa) joined her in double-digit kill figures with 10, and she also contributed four total blocks. King dished out 30 assists, while junior libero
Carrie Hack (Baldwinsville, N.Y./C.W. Baker) paced the back row with 20 digs. Senior outside hitter
Michelle Jacobson (Cortlandt Manor, N.Y./Hendrick Hudson) also enjoyed a strong night defensively with 16 digs.
For Stevens, Maggie Kowalska floored 17 kills, collected 18 digs and landed three total blocks. Samantha Gates handed out 28 assists, while Jillian Barrett boasted three block assists.
New Paltz hosts its annual Hawks Invitational on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 14-15. The team's opening match is at 2 p.m. on Friday against Johnson & Wales University.
