NEW PALTZ, NY – The State University of New York New Paltz women's volleyball team welcomed conference-leading Rowan University to the Hawk Center Thursday evening for its annual Pink Out match in support of breast cancer awareness, falling in straight sets, 25-17, 25-18 and 25-11.
The Hawks faced a formidable challenge against a Rowan squad that entered the evening riding a program-record 18-match winning streak, undefeated in New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) play and receiving votes in the national rankings. The Profs entered the matchup with a 20-2 overall record and a perfect 5-0 conference mark.
Beyond the action on the court, Thursday's contest served as SUNY New Paltz's Pink Out game in support of the Hope Venture Campaign, an initiative started by former Rowan head coach Deana Jesperson following her own battle with breast cancer. The evening provided an opportunity for both programs to raise awareness and show their support for those affected by the disease.
If you are interested in supporting the campaign, please donate at the link below. Funds raised through the Pink Out campaign will support families affected by cancer with financial, emotional, and residential support through lodging at Nick's House and the services and mission of the HEADstrong Foundation. A portion of the proceeds will also directly support a patient and family battling breast cancer.
https://pledge.headstrong.org/team/832422
Despite facing one of the conference's hottest teams, SUNY New Paltz put together several competitive stretches, including a spirited second-set comeback that saw the Hawks erase much of an 11-point deficit before the Profs ultimately secured the victory.
The opening set began with Rowan jumping out to a 6-0 advantage before the Hawks found their footing offensively. First-year Genevieve Boyle put SUNY New Paltz on the board with a kill off an assist from senior Kim Braun before following with a service ace.
Senior Christine Balbona helped spark the Hawks' next run, registering consecutive kills before sophomore Elena Savage delivered back-to-back service aces to bring SUNY New Paltz within one at 8-7.
Rowan responded with three straight points and eventually extended its advantage to 18-8. The Hawks continued battling late in the frame, with senior Lola Konopa adding a pair of kills and Braun delivering an ace. Balbona contributed another kill in the closing stretch, but the Profs secured the opening set, 25-17.
SUNY New Paltz opened the second set with a kill from Kaylee DeGroat to take its first lead of the evening. Tess Egan followed with a kill, while Savage and Boyle each contributed early offensive opportunities as the Hawks looked to establish momentum.
Rowan gradually created separation, building a 10-4 advantage before extending its lead to 19-8.
The Hawks, however, put together their strongest scoring run of the night in response to the visitor's hot start.
A combined block from Nora Keating and Egan started the rally before senior Courtney Meyer delivered a service ace. Following another point, Jordyn Lewis took over from the service line, recording two aces while Boyle added consecutive kills and combined with Konopa for a block.
The surge brought SUNY New Paltz within three points at 20-17 after trailing by as many as 11 earlier in the set. Savage added another kill to keep the Hawks within striking distance at 21-18, but Rowan collected the final four points to take the second set, 25-18, and move ahead 2-0 in the match.
Konopa provided an early spark in the third set, registering two kills within the opening four points for SUNY New Paltz. Egan and Boyle followed with kills of their own, while Balbona and Egan combined for a block to keep the Hawks competitive in the early exchanges.
The Profs established a 13-5 advantage before SUNY New Paltz answered with a brief run highlighted by a Balbona kill and a Boyle service ace, cutting the deficit to 14-9.
Rowan regained control down the stretch, ultimately closing out the third set, 25-11, to secure the conference victory.
Boyle and Konopa paced the Hawks offensively with six kills apiece. Boyle added 10 digs, two service aces and a block assist, while Konopa contributed three digs and a block assist.
Balbona followed with five kills, while Lewis finished with a team-high 13 digs and three service aces. Savage added 10 assists, six digs and two aces, while Braun led SUNY New Paltz with 12 assists to go along with five digs.
Egan contributed two kills and two block assists, while Keating added a kill and a block assist.
SUNY New Paltz totaled 26 kills, 25 assists, nine service aces, 43 digs and three team blocks. The Hawks finished just one ace shy of Rowan's 10 and matched the Profs' three blocks.
The Hawks return to NJAC action Tuesday, Oct. 27, traveling to Rutgers-Newark for a 7 p.m. matchup in their conference finale.
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