Box Score Geneseo, NY — Starting off hot in the biggest weekend of the season so far, The State University of New York at New Paltz's women's volleyball team handled Fredonia State (16-8 overall, 5-2 SUNYAC), 3-1 (25-17, 23-25, 25-16, 25-22) in day one of State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) Geneseo pool play.
 
The Hawks will return to SUNY Geneseo Saturday to play the Knights, as well as Plattsburgh State, to finish their conference schedule. Only needing two more wins, SUNY New Paltz has a chance to end the year undefeated in the SUNYAC.
 
"I saw a great determination out of our team to give their all on every single play," said Hawks coach Matt Giufre. "There was great enthusiasm on the court and from the sidelines, which made a big difference in our ability to sustain a high level of play." 
 
The Blue Devils took a quick 3-0 lead in the first set, which woke up the Hawks who responded with a five-unanswered point run to take the lead, 5-3.

A close set at 12-11, two kills by sophomore outside hitter Julie Greenspan and an attack error got SUNY New Paltz's offense going, pushing the lead, 15-11 and forcing a Fredonia State timeout.
 
The Hawks continued to out-score the Blue Devils thoroughly in the set, winning, 25-17, to go up 1-0.
 
In a close second set, SUNY New Paltz's only lead came at 4-3. Although the Hawks trailed for most of the set, they never fell behind more than five. Down 24-21, a kill by sophomore setter Caleigh Carr and a block by sophomore middle hitter Demi Herasme put SUNY New Paltz behind one, 23-24. However, Fredonia State took advantage of match point with an ensuing kill to win the second, 25-23, and tie the game at one.
 
Up 6-5 in the third, the Hawks took control of the set after an eight-unanswered point run extended their lead, 14-5.
 
Holding a 20-10 cushion later in the set, the Blue Devils stormed back with a four-unanswered point run, which led to a SUNY New Paltz timeout. Coming out of the break, the Hawks took full control. Junior middle hitter Kerri Neville started a four-unanswered point run to help get SUNY New Paltz to match point at 24-14, with the Hawks eventually winning the set, 25-16, and gaining the, 2-1 advantage.
 
Fredonia State would not back down in the fourth, taking an 8-4 lead to start the set. The Hawks down 6-10, a Greenspan kill sparked a seven-unanswered point run to take back the lead, 13-10.
 
Although it was a close set, the Hawks never gave up the lead again. Tied at 22, three Neville kills gave SUNY New Paltz the set, 25-22, and the win, 3-1.
 
"The mindset is the same that it's been all season," Giufre said. "My hope is we come out aggressive tomorrow, and look to take control of the games."
 
The Hawks return to action Saturday at 12 p.m., against the Knights with a chance to clinch the top seed in the conference tournament. The last SUNYAC match of the year for SUNY New Paltz is scheduled for 2:30 p.m., against the Cardinals.  
 
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