Williamsport, PA — The State University of New York at New Paltz added another win to its undefeated record on the second and final day of the Lycoming Tournament, sweeping Penn State Hazelton, 3-0.

The match started on a high note for the Hawks (3-0), with Kim Braun acing the first serve of the set, followed up by a block by Lexi Stragalas and Christine Balbona to put SUNY New Paltz up 2-0. From that point, the Hawks refused to let Penn State (0-1) overtake the lead for the remainder of the first, and took advantage of a late attack error by the Nittany Lions' to solidify a 25-18 set win. 

Penn State was able to conjure more opportunities at the net in the second set whilst increasing their hitting percentage from .143 in the first to .212 in the second. However, SUNY New Paltz was simply more efficient, and again kept the lead for the entire set. Two straight kills by the Nittany Lions late in the period brought them up to 16 points, but Balbona crushed the momentum with a kill assisted by Braun, and the Hawks took the set after a Penn State error, 25-16. 

In a win or go home last set, Penn State took the lead for the first time all match following two straight aces for a 4-2 advantage. The Nittany Lions continued to play strong in the first half of the third, but the Hawks stormed back with a four point run, topped off with a kill from Lola Konopa to tie the count 8-8. Penn State responded with a kill, but SUNY New Paltz did not falter and executed back-to-back kills by Konopa and Mirella Valluzzi to regain the lead 10-9. 

The set remained tight until the teams tied up 14-14 — and it was all the Hawks from then on out. 

Beginning with a kill from Regan Dyba, SUNY New Paltz scored seven-straight points to take back the advantage, 20-14. Penn State attempted to respond, but the Hawks did not falter. To close out the third, Elena Savage secured game point before Ballbona slammed a kill to take the set 25-17, and earn the Hawks' third straight win of the season. 

The Hawks' offense was efficient all match and finished hitting .416 overall, compared to the Nittany Lions' .183, while outshining Penn State in every statistical category including kills (49-25), aces (9-6) and blocks (3-2).

Dyba put up another impressive statline, the freshman earning 11 kills, seven digs and one ace. Konopa followed with 11 points and two digs, while Balbona tacked on eight kills. Braun and Savage tallied 23 and 18 assists, respectfully, and Courtney Meyer earned 10 digs on the day. 

The Hawks are set to face Mount Saint Mary Friday for their home opener and the first day of the annual Hawks Invitational. Game time against the Knights is set for 6 p.m.

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