New Paltz, NY — The State University of New York New Paltz split its final two regular season games of the season in the Hawk Center Saturday, falling in four sets to Stevens (30-28, 25-21, 22-25, 25-15) before sweeping Drew in the finale (25-18, 25-8, 25-20).
Against the Ducks, the Hawks held their own against a regional ranked opponent. They fought to get into extra points in set one, climbing back in to tie the set at 35-all after Stevens earned set point at 24-22. A kill by
Lexi Stragalas got SUNY New Paltz to set point at 27-26, but after trading points, the Ducks answered with three-straight on two kills and a hitting error that allowed them to get on top, 1-0.
Stevens took the second 25-21 after earning set point at 24-21 with a kill solidifying the 2-0 lead, but the Hawks stormed back in the third going up 22-17 following a block by
Jamie Albrecht and Stragalas.
Letisha Perez eventually gave SUNY New Paltz set point, laying down a kill of an assist by
Elena Savage before solidifying the win with another kill.
The Ducks took over in the fourth, going up by nine at 21-12 and cruising from there. A kill got the visitors to set point at 24-14. Perez helped her team side-out on the next point with a kill, but Stevens ended the match with a kill, taking the set, 25-15.
Perez led the Hawks with 12 kills and 13 points. Albrecht followed with 11 kills and 15.5 points after adding two aces, two assists, five blocks and 16 digs. Lewis set a career-record with 32 digs, which lands just outside of the top 10 in program single-game history.
Kim Braun had a team-high 21 assists, while adding four digs, while Savage followed with 13 assists, two aces and six digs.
SUNY New Paltz had control of game two from the start. A 7-0 run allowed the Hawks to get out in front, 15-10 with
Maria Weigand serving through the stretch against the Rangers. They eventually held set point at 24-17 thanks to a service error with
Mirella Valluzzi putting an end to the first with a kill from Braun to push her team to a 1-0 lead.
The second was on cruise control for SUNY New Paltz as it held set point at 24-8 with Drew unable to find any type of offense throughout the stanza. An attacking error on a point served by Braun sealed the 2-0 lead for the hosts.
The Hawks got out to an 18-13 lead in the third thanks to an ace by Albrecht. After leading, 22-15, SUNY New Paltz eventually got to match point at 14-18 following a kil by Albrecht on an assist from Mia Columbo. Two points later,
Lola Konopa put an end to a long rally with a kill on a free ball to solidify the sweep over the Rangers.
Perez led all players with 11 kills, hitting .579 with three blocks and five digs for 13 points. Albrecht followed with nine kills, while adding five aces and 10 digs. Weigand chipped in with five kills, two aces, a block and 10 digs. Lewis totaled a team-high 13 digs, while Braun registered a team-best 23 assists.
SUNY New Paltz ends the regular season at 15-12 overall and resumes action Tuesday in the Hawk Center in the SUNYAC Quarterfinal round against Oswego. First serve is scheduled for 6 p.m.
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