New Paltz, NY — The State University of New York at New Paltz concluded day two of the Hawks Invitational with two wins on the day, defeating both Mount Saint Mary College and Alfred University in straight sets.

The Hawks made quick work of the Knights, winning in three to open up the morning's slate of games. They went on a 5-0 run to go up 10-3 in the first. They looked smooth offensively with Melanie Podstupka providing good passes to setter Cate DiGiacomo in the first set. DiGiacomo played just the first period and totaled 14 assists and an ace. Her lone service ace helped push the lead to 18-8 with SUNY New Paltz holding set point after a kill by Victoria Konicki, assisted by DiGiacomo. 
 
On set point, Katie Steele was credited with the reception off the Mount Saint Mary College serve, finding DiGiacomo who back set to Makenzie Bills on the right side for the kill, solidifying the first, 25-11. 
 
Dana Collins took over for DiGiacomo in the last two sets and added a team-leading 16 assists, five digs and an ace in the match. Collins boosted the Hawks lead to 11-8 early on, dumping the ball over after the Knights kept the play alive on the rally. Podstupka made a nice play in the back row for the dig, send a pass over to Collins who set Mackenzie Williams for a tip over the net to push the lead to 13-9. Letisha Perez aided in a 17-10 advantage, beating the Mount Saint Mary block for the kill and then getting up for the assisted block with Nicole Kleinegger to extend the advantage.
 
 
The Knights ultimately helped SUNY New Paltz to set point serving into the net and with Samantha Cox serving a tough ball on the next point, the Hawks closed out as Cox kept the play alive setting Konicki on a ball played off the ceiling for the kill. 
 
In the third, SUNY New Paltz trailed by a point at 7-8, but rattled off 10-straight points to earn a comfortable lead once again. The Knights were as close as 21-14, but the Hawks earned set point on a kill by Steele before Kayleigh Emanuelson ended the match with an ace for the win. 
 
Konicki hit .429 and had eight kills and two blocks. Steele followed with seven kills, while Collins and DiGiacomo combining for 37 assists.
 
Game two went similarly to game one with SUNY New Paltz controlling the match throughout. The Hawks out-scored the Saxons, 54-18 and dominated in every statistical category including kills (38-12), aces (11-3), blocks (5-3), assists (35-12), digs (44-26) and hitting percentage (.291 to -.108). 
 
 
Williams led SUNY New Paltz with 14 kills, just four shy of her season-high, which was achieved in five sets, while hitting .296 with five digs. Steele and Bills followed with seven kills apiece, both hitting .333, while Waddell added a team-leading 19 digs, two assists and two aces. DiGiacomo finished with 30 assists, five digs and an ace. 
 
The Hawks improve to 6-0 with the pair of wins as they head into their first SUNYAC action of the season Wednesday against rival SUNY Oneonta. First serve is scheduled for 5 p.m. in the Hawk Center. 

Hawks vs. Alfred Highlights


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