NEW PALTZ, NY — The SUNY New Paltz women's volleyball team nearly completed a furious comeback against NJAC preseason favorite Kean University Tuesday night in the Hawk Center, rallying from a two-set deficit before ultimately falling in five sets.
The Cougars entered the season atop the NJAC preseason coaches' poll after receiving seven first-place votes, while the Hawks were tabbed as the conference's dark horse at No. 6 in their inaugural season in the league. Kean remained unbeaten in NJAC play with the victory, improving to 3-0 in conference action, while SUNY New Paltz moved to 7-13 overall.
SUNY New Paltz was led by a career night from first-year outside hitter Genevieve Boyle, who totaled a career-high 20 kills on 48 attempts while adding 15 digs for a double-double. Elena Savage also established a season best with 38 assists, adding nine digs, three aces and two block assists. Lexi Stragalas joined Boyle in double figures with 14 kills, while Christine Balbona totaled a match-high five blocks and Kim Braun tied Boyle for the team lead with 15 digs.
Kean controlled the opening set, hitting .440 with 13 kills against just two errors while holding the Hawks to a .000 hitting percentage. The visiting Cougars used an early serving run to create separation and never relinquished the advantage, cruising to a 25-10 opening-set victory.
The second set proved much tighter, with SUNY New Paltz matching Kean throughout the frame and keeping the Cougars from creating the same separation they enjoyed in the opener. The Hawks remained within striking distance late, but Kean put away 14 kills on .235 hitting and held off SUNY New Paltz, 25-22, to move one set away from the victory.
With their backs against the wall, the Hawks went point-for-point with Kean throughout a third set that featured 13 ties and six lead changes. Neither side could create much separation as the set moved into the 20s, with Stragalas coming through with timely swings to keep SUNY New Paltz within reach. Kean eventually earned match point at 24-23, but the Hawks refused to concede the set. SUNY New Paltz fought off match point and flipped the pressure back onto the Cougars, scoring three consecutive points to complete the late turnaround and take the third, 26-24.
The Hawks carried that energy into the fourth and began to find their rhythm offensively. Boyle caught fire as Savage continued feeding the first-year standout on the outside, while Stragalas remained another reliable option in the attack. SUNY New Paltz totaled 14 kills in the frame and hit a match-best .296, using its improved efficiency to finally create some breathing room after the tightly contested third.
Kean remained within striking distance, but the Hawks continued finding answers as the set moved toward its closing stages. Boyle and Stragalas helped SUNY New Paltz maintain control while Savage directed an offense that committed just six attacking errors in the frame. The Hawks finished off the set, 25-20, completing the comeback from two sets down and sending the match into a deciding fifth.
Kean regained control in the final frame, limiting SUNY New Paltz to four kills as the Cougars built an advantage and closed out the match, 15-10, to remain unbeaten in NJAC play.
SUNY New Paltz finished with 44 kills, 43 assists, 56 digs, 10 aces and five total blocks. Boyle capped her career night with 20 kills and 15 digs for her sixth double-double of the season. Stragalas finished with 14 kills, repeatedly delivering when the Hawks needed a point during their comeback, while Savage orchestrated the attack with a season-best 38 assists to go along with nine digs and three aces. Balbona led the defensive effort at the net with five blocks, with Braun adding 15 digs in the back row.
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