Buffalo, NY --- The State University of New York at New Paltz women's volleyball team claimed its second straight State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) victory Saturday over Buffalo State (25-17, 25-15, 21-25, 25-23). The Hawks' record improves to 7-7 overall (2-1 SUNYAC), while the Bengals fall to 5-10 on the year (0-3 SUNYAC). 

"This is the best we've played on the road so far and we look to build on being more consistent overall as we have two more critical conference matches next week," said SUNY New Paltz coach Matt Giufre. 

The first set began with the Hawks building a 5-3 advantage after a kill by senior Maddie Van Pelt. A kill by Kayla Wolinski cut the score to 7-6. SUNY New Paltz scored eight straight points with kills from freshman Katie Steele, freshman Makenzie Bills, junior Demi Herasme, and junior Haley Timarky pushed its lead to 15-6. An attack error from Kayla Wolinski made the score 21-12 in favor of the Hawks. Buffalo State did not give up, adding five more points to cut the deficit, 22-17. A kill from Herasme and an attack error from Bryanna Fisher put the final touches to close out set one as SUNY New Paltz took a 25-17 set win. 

The Hawks jumped out to an 8-3 advantage to open up set two. A kill from Bryanna Fisher bought the score closer for the Bengals, 19-10. Buffalo State continued to score three more points to bring the score 21-13, but a pair of kills from senior Kerri Neville and Bills ended the short rally and closed the set out to give the Hawks a 25-15 set victory and build a 2-0 advantage. 

Although the Bengals go on board after stealing a 21-25 set three win, both teams exchanged points in a back-and forth scoring affair to start off set four. 

Back-to-back kills by Neville and and an attack error by Kayla Wolinksi gave SUNY New Paltz its first lead of the set, 15-12. The score was tied at 16 after Bills was unable to successfully finish an attack. Buffalo State came back from behind and grabbed the lead 19-22 after two kills from Alena McKelvey and Wolinski and an attack error from Van Pelt. The Hawks did not give up and built a comeback as a service ace and kill from Van Pelt, a kill from Bills and an attack error from Wolinksi ended the set, 25-23 with SUNY New Paltz escaping with a 3-1 win over the Bengals.

"In that third set Buffalo State came out serving stronger and changed how they were attacking us and we adjusted too late,'' Giufre said. "I didn't make a change to our defensive positioning until too late and that hurt us. The fourth was right back and forth and it was great to see us stay strong and together and come back with some great plays to close it out after being down 21-19 and possibly facing a fifth set."

The Hawks offense had one of their best outings of the season, hitting a season-best .301 as a team. Van Pelt led the way with 14 kills on 35 attempts, while adding three aces. Katie Steele followed with 11 kills on 27 attempts, while Herasme and Neville combined for 17 kills and eight blocks. Timarky finished with 39 assists and 15 digs with Fellone adding a team-high 17 digs. 

SUNY New Paltz will look to pick up two more conference wins as it remains on the road Oct. 4 and Oct. 5 to face off against Oswego State and SUNY Cortland, respectively.