Cortland, NY - The State University of New York at New Paltz fell for the first time in conference competition, playing away and losing in four sets to the Cortland Red Dragons, (23-25, 13-25, 33-31, 14-25). 

The Hawks were able to play tight with Cortland in the first set, going back and forth for the first twenty points of the set. After a kill from Jamie Albrecht that put the Hawks up 23-21, Cortland returned with a kill making it 23-22, and forced three straight errors from SUNY New Paltz afterwards which allowed them to take the set 25-23.  

Going into the second, Cortland came out with a new tenacity, and put up four unanswered points to begin the set. Throughout the stanza, the Hawks were unable to interrupt Cortland's numerous multiple point runs. Five straight points from the Red Dragons extended their unanswered lead to twelve points, and despite an interrupting kill from Albrecht, Cortland won the set 25-12. The Hawks were now forced to win the third to not fall in straight sets and keep themselves in the game. 

Cortland once again came out to a quick lead, but SUNY New Paltz was able to produce more offensively. A kill by Lexi Stragalas from Cate DiGiacomo was a turning point for the Hawks, and they overtook the lead 10-9 after a run, punctuated with a kill by Mackenzie Williams. The competitors played neck and neck until the score was 24-24, and an error by the Red Dragons forced overtime. Following a service error from the Hawks, the score was tied 31-31. Samantha Cox scored off an assist by DiGiacomo, and Cortland errored the next point, giving the Hawks the prolonged overtime win 33-31.  

Unfortunately, SUNY New Paltz could not bring this confidence into the following set to extend the game further, and Cortland took advantage. The Red Dragons once again had numerous uninterrupted runs, and the Hawks could not produce enough offensive opportunities. Cortland took the set 25-14.  

"I am pleased with how we competed and battled in tough first and third sets today but am disappointed in the lack of competitive desire in the second and fourth," commented Hawks Coach Matt Giufre. "Moving forward we have got to fix that if we want to truly be among the best." 

Albrecht led the Hawks in kills (17) and recorded nine digs. Mackenzie Williams followed with 14 kills and 3 services aces. Cate DiGiacomo delivered 44 assists, and Melanie Podstupka had 21 digs. 

"We have a lot of talent yet still haven't become that unbreakable team when things are difficult," said Giufre. "It needs to happen immediately to achieve our goals." 

SUNY New Paltz will come home to face Potsdam on Oct. 20. The game begins at 6 p.m. 

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