The State University of New York at New Paltz women's volleyball team started off the annual Hawk Invitational with a two-game sweep against Alfred University 3-0 (25-21, 25-18, 25-15,) and St. Lawrence University 3-0 (29-27, 25-20, 25-20) on day one of the tournament.

The Hawks move to 4-2 on the year, and will finish the tournament tomorrow with a 10 a.m start against Mount Saint Mary College, followed by a 2 p.m. match with Hamilton College.

"It all started with our passing," explained SUNY New Paltz coach Matt Giufre. "We were just a little too quick for their blocks [today], and that's what we're trying to do to everyone this year."

Fast pace in mind,the Hawks started off the first set against Alfred strong. A serve miscue, however, brought the Saxons back within striking distance, forcing a SUNY New Paltz timeout at 19-17. The Hawks quickly shifted momentum back on their side afterwards following a big play to regain the set and win 25-21.

Once again, SUNY New Paltz jumped in front early in the second set with a 10-2 lead. With Giufre rotating his bench, the Hawks never had a lead smaller than six, resulting in a 25-18 set win.

SUNY New Paltz's tempo continued into the third set, as it grabbed an early 8-3 lead. Alfred responded and brought the score to within one at 11-10 quickly. A big kill by sophomore outside hitter Julie Greenspan to make it 18-15 proved to be too much for the Saxons, however, allowing the Hawks to grab the set, 25-15 and the win.

"We needed to focus and communicate more and that's what we really did," said SUNY New Paltz sophomore middle hitter Demi Herasme. "Just all together as a team, we really played well."

The Hawk's attempted to bring the momentum of game one into game two against St. Lawrence by jumping out to a quick 10-5 lead. Trailing nearby the entire set, the Saints forced the set at 25-25. SUNY New Paltz's ability to gain the lead back three more times in extra volleyball proved too much, giving the Hawks the set at 29-27.

In a close second set, SUNY New Paltz pulled ahead to make it 15-10. Although the Saints came back within three at 20-17, the Hawks finished strong, winning the set at 25-19.

SUNY New Paltz's fast play wore down St. Lawrence by the third set. Although the Saints brought it within one at 13-12, New Paltz would not back down, taking the set 25-20 and the win.

"We knew St. Lawrence's block was cheating in, so we knew that we had to keep everything pushed out and fast," said Hawks junior outside hitter Madison Van Pelt. "Over the last few sets, we just took the momentum and kept going."

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