NEW PALTZ, NY – The State University of New York New Paltz women's volleyball team returned to New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) action Tuesday evening inside the Hawk Center, falling in a five-set thriller against Rutgers-Camden despite a career-best performance from senior Lexi Stragalas.
Stragalas delivered a career-high 20 kills on 43 attempts, hitting an efficient .302 to lead all players offensively. The senior spearheaded the Hawks' attack throughout the evening, helping SUNY New Paltz (9-14 overall, 0-5 NJAC) push the Scarlet Raptors (11-8, 2-3 NJAC) to a deciding fifth set.
The Hawks opened the contest with a commanding 25-9 victory before Rutgers-Camden answered with consecutive wins of 27-25 and 25-18. SUNY New Paltz responded with a 25-22 fourth-set victory to force a decisive frame, but the Scarlet Raptors prevailed 15-11 to escape with the conference win.
SUNY New Paltz established its offensive rhythm early, hitting .375 in the opening set while holding Rutgers-Camden to a negative hitting percentage. Stragalas made an immediate impact with her offensive production, helping the Hawks take control of the frame. SUNY New Paltz recorded 11 kills against just two attacking errors, overwhelming the visitors en route to a 16-point opening-set victory.
The second set featured a dramatic shift in momentum. Behind the serving of Elena Savage, the Hawks built a 19-12 advantage, with Savage recording four consecutive service aces during the run. Rutgers-Camden battled back, however, erasing the seven-point deficit and extending the frame beyond regulation before claiming a 27-25 victory to even the match at one set apiece.
The Scarlet Raptors carried their momentum into the third, hitting .300 with 13 kills to take control of the frame. Stragalas continued to provide an offensive spark for SUNY New Paltz, while Christine Balbona and Lola Konopa contributed at the net. Despite the Hawks' efforts, Rutgers-Camden secured the third set 25-18 to move within one set of victory.
Facing a 2-1 deficit, SUNY New Paltz responded with its strongest offensive showing since the opening frame. The Hawks registered a match-high 16 kills in the fourth set, hitting .233 as Stragalas continued her career night.
SUNY New Paltz established a 16-12 advantage midway through the frame, with Stragalas and Konopa helping the Hawks maintain their offensive pressure. Rutgers-Camden narrowed the margin late, but timely kills from Stragalas and Kaylee DeGroat allowed the hosts to preserve their advantage. The Hawks ultimately claimed the fourth set 25-22, extending the match into a fifth.
The deciding frame remained tightly contested as SUNY New Paltz looked to complete the comeback. The Hawks continued battling behind their senior leadership, with Balbona and Konopa contributing offensively. SUNY New Paltz trimmed the Scarlet Raptors' advantage to 11-10, but Rutgers-Camden answered with a late surge to secure the 15-11 victory.
Stragalas finished with 20.5 points, adding an assisted block to her career-high offensive output. Her 20 kills accounted for more than one-third of SUNY New Paltz's 55 kills on the evening.
Balbona and Konopa each finished with 10 kills, with Konopa adding five total blocks. Savage orchestrated the Hawks' offense with 46 assists and five service aces, while Jordyn Lewis anchored the defensive effort with 23 digs. DeGroat added 13 digs, and Courtney Meyer and Genevieve Boyle contributed 12 apiece.
SUNY New Paltz held advantages over Rutgers-Camden in kills (55-48), service aces (9-7), digs (81-75) and hitting percentage (.114-.094), but the Scarlet Raptors' 13-9 edge in total blocks helped the visitors secure the victory.
******************
To stay up to date with everything #NPHawks be sure to follow us on Twitter at @nphawks, Instagram and Facebook at @newpaltzhawks, and subscribe to our Youtube channel, New Paltz Hawks.
